Christobel Munson speaks with the multi-talented Adam Susz, pilot, pianist, volunteer treasurer of The Bangalow Herald Inc and the Bangalow Historical Society, and a postie bike-riding member of Murray Hand’s delivery team.
What do you enjoy about your roles as Herald delivery-man and treasurer?
The roles are very different. While the treasurer is a desk job fulfilling my passion for numbers, delivering the Herald each month is an outdoor pursuit. I love riding my Honda CT125 postie bike through the scenic back roads of Bangalow’s hinterland, as I make my way to 360 letterboxes from Coorabell to Binna Burra, Possum Creek, Brooklet and Newrybar. Once the magazine exceeds 32 pages, it gets quite bulky to deliver. The summer edition was a massive 56 pages, meaning I needed to reload many more boxes of magazines.
When did you and your family move to Bangalow?
We moved up to the area from Sydney in August 2021, first renting in Byron for six months. Then we were able to buy in Bangalow, where we lived for nearly four years. Now we’re on an acreage at Brooklet, where we’re building a new, single level home, designed to take in the view to the Nightcap Ranges. We’ve planted 650 coffee trees and look forward to sharing our coffee with friends and family.
Apart from the Herald, what’s your bread-and-butter work?
For 32 years, I’ve worked in the aviation industry, piloting Boeing B737, B767, B747 and Airbus A330 passenger aircraft throughout the world. This takes up about 16 days a month, travelling to destinations like London, Frankfurt, Bangkok, Tokyo, Hong Kong, Singapore, Auckland, Honolulu, LA, Vancouver, New York. I worked my way up from First Officer, taking 24 years to become a long haul Captain. It’s a very technical and disciplined job: you have to be able to keep your cool and yes, a certain demeanour is required. Stopovers are usually 24 to 48 hours. Favourite food? Tokyo does it for me!
You trained for a Hospitality Certificate III for Crown Resorts. What was that about?
During COVID-19, which heavily impacted the aviation industry, I was grounded for the better part of two years. Because I was interested in numbers, I trained to become a casino dealer in baccarat, roulette and poker. I always wanted to do that! You need to be good with your hands and able to handle a lot of cash and chips.
Haven’t you also worked as a football referee?
Yes. For 20 years, I had a stint at an elite level for NSW State League Football Referees (also as their treasurer for two years). I officiated in 750 matches in the highest tiers of Men’s Premier League competitions, holding a position on the top NSW panel for six seasons.
What did that teach you?
Valuable skills, such as conflict management, teamwork and communication, combined with fitness and resilience. Useful skills, too, in my role for 10 years as treasurer of the Australian and International Pilots Association.
As a trade unionist, I got involved with AIPA to be able to represent my profession. I was involved in negotiating four complex workplace agreements, giving me the chance to pursue my socialist side.
Is that needed in your roles as volunteer treasurer for The Bangalow Herald and the Bangalow Historical Society?
Quite the opposite. They’re both naturally cohesive groups of people who get along well together. It helps that we’re all volunteers who want to be part of the team.
Any other surprise talents, Adam?
I’m a JP, which is useful. Quite a lot of people in Bangalow need services such as Stat Decs. I also love music and play the piano – from classical to jazz. I enjoyed playing at nursing homes where my wife Angela’s parents lived, and I recently performed a tune in Barcelona’s town square. It’s nice to be able to share that with people.