This Is 50: The World According to Garry
Turning 50 isn’t just about cake, questionable knee noises, and finally admitting you can't grow hair where you want it—but everywhere else. It’s about perspective. For Garry, our fearless leader, it’s a milestone not just of years, but of impact.
Whether it’s drying structures, playing questionable shots on the golf course, or finding the perfect carb-free meal that still involves chips, Garry’s got a take on it. So, to celebrate the man, the myth, and the moisture meter master, we’ve compiled life lessons, industry insights, and some questionable one-liners from Garry’s first 50 laps around the sun.
Because let’s face it: when Garry speaks, people listen… eventually.
Restoration Rules to Live (and Work) By
My moisture meter is my boss. I make sure I have a good boss.
When inspecting a water-damaged property, I focus on how I can deliver the best possible solution for my clients—going beyond just a quick fix.
Know how every piece of equipment in your business works. The equipment does the work—you just place it.
Make sure your equipment is working on each particular job. If it’s not needed, remove it.
Learn how to extract water correctly and have the right tools. It’ll always be quicker to suck the water out than try to dry it with a dehumidifier.
Always use videos as evidence. Narrate as you film—show and tell is your best friend. A photo or moisture reading without context is just a mystery to everyone else.
Ensure your reporting and invoicing is clear, justified, and understandable. If you use industry lingo, back it up with a glossary.
Technology evolves. If your device is critical to your work, keep it up to date. Would you still use a five-year-old phone or computer in your business?
Have you backed up those moisture readings with thermal images?
Have you referenced the type of moisture reading? Is it a real percentage or a comparative reading? Did you define your dry standard? (Spoiler: it changes with the climate.)
You’re the expert. Don’t let the customer tell you how to do your job. Be willing to walk away if they won’t listen.
When you know you're right, offer a guarantee: "If I don’t save this timber floor, I won’t charge for the job." Remove the risk for the client.
Golfing Greatness (Or Something Like It)
If you want to win, go for the risky shot—when it makes sense. Calculated risk is key.
He who finds the most golf balls in a round is the real winner.
If nobody saw me kick the ball, it doesn’t count. (This is not up for debate.)
Food, Fuel and Fast Getaways
Eating is a chore. Just get it done and move on.
Carbs are the enemy.
Meat is king—I love a good steak.
I love chips, lollies, ice cream and yoghurt.
If you want to lose it, you have to move it.
When eating at a restaurant, expect this:
a. If food is shared: “Are you going to eat that?”—within 30 seconds.
b. When I’m done eating: “Alright, let’s get out of here.”
General Wisdom, Whether You Like It or Not
My favourite saying? “At the end of the day…”
Go hard or go home.
If I’m staring at you with glazed eyes while you talk, I’m probably not listening. I’m thinking about something else entirely.
Adaptability is key. If you can’t change, you’ll be left behind.
Don’t tell me I can’t do something.
Why do something if you can find someone else to do it for you?
What Friends and Customers Have to Say About Garry
After five decades of trial, error, and total domination in the restoration world (plus a few golf courses), we asked the people who know Garry best — friends, colleagues, long-time customers, and his family — to describe him in one word.
Here’s what they came up with:
Persistent – Tell him he can’t do he’ll keep trying – he’ll never give up!
Driven – If there’s a job to be done, Garry is already halfway through it (while filming a video and telling a joke).
Dedicated – Whether it’s drying timber or mentoring techs, he shows up and gives it 110%.
Overachiever – His parents thought his sister was the good egg, hit and miss on that one!
Forthright – You’ll always know where you stand. No fluff, no filters, just Garry.
Cheeky – That trademark grin always comes just before a zinger you won’t see coming.
Annoying – Said with love, of course. (Mostly.)
Loyal – Once you're in Garry’s circle, he’ll back you every time.
Legend – Not self-proclaimed, but often repeated.
Best Storyteller – Garry has a gift for turning the most ordinary job site into a gripping tale, complete with plot twists, practical lessons, and just the right amount of exaggeration to keep you hooked.
Kind-hearted – Beneath the banter and bravado is someone who genuinely cares about people, their businesses, and their growth.
Whether you’ve known Garry for 5 minutes or 25 years, he’s likely left you with a lesson, a laugh, and probably a new perspective on drying timber concrete. From all of us at ACRA and Restore Solutions—thank you, Garry. For the wisdom, the work ethic, the honesty, and the humour.
You’ve taught us all, that in life, in business, and on the job site, it’s not just about staying dry… it’s about showing up, giving it a crack, and helping others do the same.
Happy 50th, mate. You’re just getting started.