5 minute read
Looking at the big picture with Gab Smith
Many locals probably already know Gabriel (or Gab) Smith of BB Smith Conveyancing. Working as a licensed conveyancer and becoming well known in the NSW South Coast region as a committed and hardworking participant in the industry, Gab also finds the time to volunteer as a Patrol Captain of Broulee Surfers Surf Life Saving Club, while also having brought up four children. In her spare time she has competed in the George Bass Marathon four times, rowing a surf boat from Batemans Bay to Eden over 7 days.
To celebrate International Women’s Day on March 8th, we caught up with this local leader to discuss her career, why she loves working in the property industry, and her incredible contribution to the local community.
HOW DID YOU GET STARTED IN CONVEYANCING?
My former husband and I separated in 2010 and I was in contact with lawyers more often than I wanted to be, but it got me interested in the law. I ended up helping my family law solicitor with some paralegal work and I enjoyed that challenge. I was able to complete sufficient qualifications to be licensed as a conveyancer after three years of study.
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WHAT DO YOU FIND APPEALING ABOUT PROPERTY CONVEYANCING?
I enjoy helping to guide people through what is one of the largest financial and most significant personal transactions they will make in their lives. I’m also finding out more and more about the history of land ownership in New South Wales. Going through old certificates of title can be fascinating – a real insight into the way in which land has been owned and developed over the years.
WHAT DO YOU LOVE MOST ABOUT RUNNING YOUR BUSINESS?
For me, it’s important to take the time to make sure that my clients really understand the process, whether they are buying or selling, or in many cases both. It’s very satisfying to be able to guide them through the process. I also find it very rewarding when we get difficult transactions over the line. A successful settlement means making a lot of things happen at the same time. Usually, the day-to-day processes are adequate, but sometimes I really have to work hard to make the settlement happen. It’s really rewarding when I can tell my clients that settlement has been completed.
HAVE YOU ALWAYS LIVED AND WORKED IN THE SOUTH COAST REGION?
I grew up in the Eastern suburbs of Sydney, and my parents who live in the Southern Highlands bought a holiday house at Maloneys Beach, north of Batemans Bay. It was while we were having a holiday there that the idea of escaping Sydney for a slower pace of life took off, especially when a beautiful house overlooking the ocean at Mossy Point came on the market. I moved from Sydney in 2008 to with my then husband, four children and our dog.
WHAT DO YOU LOVE ABOUT WORKING ON THE SOUTH COAST?
The south coast offers beautiful beaches and surrounding landscapes and a real sense of community. Working on the south coast is very different to working in Sydney. For the most part, the pace is a little slower, the people are more relaxed and there’s a very wide range of work. I can deal with a strata unit, a house, some rural living and primary production property matters in the one morning. But most of all, I can go for a walk on the beach in the morning and a swim in the afternoon – that’s bliss for me.
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WHO ELSE WORKS WITH YOU AT BB SMITH CONVEYANCING?
Not only do I work in the law, I’m now married to a lawyer and we work together. I did my first three years under his practice, which was a good way to start. It’s great to be able to flick some of the more complex questions to him. It also means that our office can cater to more complicated transactions, which may have aspects other than property. Good examples would be family law and deceased estate matters that often have a property component, but there are other aspects as well which a licensed conveyancer isn’t able to address. As of 1 January 2021, we split the practice so that the conveyancing practice is separate from the general law practice. That gives me greater autonomy than before, but the general legal advice is still right at hand.
WHAT HAVE BEEN SOME OF THE CHALLENGES OF RUNNING YOUR BUSINESS?
The bushfires were the greatest challenge we have faced, like many others in the district. On New Year’s Eve 2019, we lost all power and telecommunications. The outage lasted for several weeks, with mobile phone coverage being fully restored only in about October. For the first few weeks we moved the office back home. Eventually we were able to move back to the office, but then we had to start dealing with all our clients who had lost homes in the fires. It was a very sobering time.
HOW HAVE YOU BEEN INVOLVED IN THE LOCAL COMMUNITY?
I have been involved with the surf lifesaving movement for over 25 years and proudly wear the red and gold as a patrolling member of Broulee Surfers Surf Life Saving Club. I completed my Surf Life Saving Gold Medallion certification in 2010 and was club captain in 2010-2011. I am currently patrol captain as well as being on the call out team for emergencies. When I heard that there was to be a Westpac rescue helicopter based at Moruya, I decided to apply. There was a demanding selection process which was full of much younger males, but a 40-year-old mum full of drive and determination was unstoppable. I was lucky enough to be selected as a rescue swimmer on the crew.
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WHAT’S NEXT FOR BB SMITH CONVEYANCING?
My main aim is to have a less stressful year than 2020! The bushfires caused massive disruption to people and businesses on the south coast. In some ways, Covid-19 has taken the focus off the bushfire recovery, but there is a lot remaining to be done.
I hope that 2021 is a little more predictable than last year, but if 2020 taught us anything, it’s to expect the unexpected. In the meantime, I want to keep providing the same level of service and care to my clients as before, to help ensure that their property transactions are as hassle free as possible.
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