GET TO ENJOY RETIREMENT AND FAMILY AFTER YEARS OF CONTRIBUTION TO OUR ISLANDS
Anthony and Katrina Gleeson have been a major part of our SMB Islands for the past 15 years.
They are remembered as the long-time owner operators of the Russell Island Post Office.
But it not just their efforts at the Post Office for which they are highly regarded.
It was in many other areas of island life where their contribution has been considerable, and quite remarkable.
In fact, The Friendly Bay Islander rates their efforts in our community at the ‘highest’ of levels.
The couple’s family and business background is significant.
They originally moved to the islands and brought their significant manufacturing business with them.
In their earlier life they had produced two sons and a daughter who all went on to successful careers, particularly in business.
Anthony and Katrina discovered early on after the move to the islands, that the business they owned and operated for nearly 30 years, could not survive from an island base.
They also discovered via that business, an excellent growth opportunity via Australia Post and decided to purchase the Russell Island Post Office business, quickly moving it to Russell Island Shopping Centre soon after.
Via the Post Office and its six-day a week operation, they have come to make many island friends and make evolution observations about our islands and growth potential.
Katrina Gleeson particularly enjoyed the social interaction of working behind the counter at the Post Office.
Anthony Gleeson says the islands have always been on a significant ‘upward’ trend.
Along the way, the couple became involved with the RSL movement and the Russell Island RSL Club in particular.
Anthony Gleeson’s major skills are business acumen.
At the time, the RSL Club was in dire circumstances when, at the behest of others, Anthony was encouraged to take on the presidency.
The situation was so tough in those heady days, that he and Katrina literally financially supported the club whilst Katrina also ran the office as well.
In the process, the couple set directions and guidelines and a marketing strategy via The Friendly Bay Islander that saw the situation soon turn positive.
So much so, for the next seven years the RSL Club and movement on the island went from strength to financial and community strength.
All this whilst still working at the Post Office five and a half days a week!
The RSL side of things changed when seven years later a group of then islanders decided to use the ‘democratic process’ and wanted to take over the RSL at that time.
Anthony saw the ‘writing on the wall’ so decided not to re-stand and severed all ties with the club, despite the RSL Queensland asking him to take on further roles.
It is now a known fact that the club was never as successful as it was under the Gleeson management tenure. In fact, it became a diabolical mess and closed for some time following that ‘group’ tenure.
As for Anthony and Katrina it was work at usual at the Post Office.
That was until a couple of years ago when Anthony’s health took a turn for the worst.
He was to have three major operations that caused the couple to transform their lives and to move on from their Post Office life and finally ‘retire’.
They recently sold the business to their long-time co-worker, Kylie Purtell.
And since Anthony’s health is now on the improve, the couple are getting to enjoy their family and grandchildren, like never before.
“It is something we probably should have done much earlier.
“It is wonderful spending more time with our family, and we are still enjoying our island home,” Anthony Gleeson said.
The couple can enjoy a different and relaxed aspect to life after years of effort and contribution.
• A relaxed Anthony and Katrina Gleeson at home in ‘retirement’!
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