DCN AUGUST Edition 2019

The grill
CBFCA’S Scott Carson talks about growing up in The
Shire, the role of a customs broker and the euphoria
when the Cronulla Sharks won their first premiership
Where did you grow up?
I grew up in the Sutherland Shire in Sydney
(The Shire). It was just typical suburban
Sydney upbringing. We went to the beach,
and played cricket and league out on the
streets and parks. Then holidays on the
coast. It was a good, traditional Australian
suburban upbringing and I have many
fond memories.
What did you want to be when you
were growing up?
I either wanted to be a first-grade rugby
league player or own my own business. I
was fortunate enough to do the latter, I had
my own logistics-based consulting business.
Not as fortunate with the former but
certainly played league until well into my
twenties and loved it.
How did you get into the world of
customs broking?
That goes back more than 30 years with
Owen’s Group that later morphed into
what is now known as Mainfreight
Australia. They were based in Sydney
and I was fortunate enough to start with
them in finance. I then got moved into
operations, marketing and management. I
had a really great upbringing across all the
business disciplines within a multifaceted
domestic and international freight-based
organisation.
What do you enjoy about working in
customs broking?
I think it is the pace of it and the fact
that you are helping service Australia’s
international trade. It is the fascination of
the full supply chain and the end-to-end
aspect of it.
Would you recommend customs
broking as a career?
Absolutely. The job prospects are very
strong. Particularly for someone who wants
to do a Diploma of Customs Broking, the
job prospects within this industry sector
are very strong. There’s the chance to earn
a good salary from very early on.
What do you do in your spare time?
I like to go and watch the Sharks, I
live near Shark Park. I’ve got a couple
of friends who are also mad Sharks’
supporters and we’ve got season tickets.
Also go to the movies and occasional visits
to the gym and bodysurfing. I also like
walking and just spending time with the
family and friends. My wife and I are also
working on a bucket list to check off, in
terms of travelling overseas.
Have you got a favourite rugby league
player?
Probably Steve Rogers. I’m a bit biased
because I’m a Sharks supporter but he was
the greatest player I’ve seen to date. He
was a centre and had great attacking and
defensive skills.
What did it mean to you for the Sharks
to win the 2016 premiership?
It was a load off my mind and a load
off my back, and an absolutely fantastic
experience. Having supported them
since I was young man and lived in that
part of Sydney for most of my life, it
was a great feeling and that sense of the
underdog finally getting that monkey off
our backs. We didn’t have to leave the
porch light on for Harold Holt to come
home any longer (laughs).
When you’re at home, what music do
you like?
I like my alternative rock and roll music,
going back right through to Led Zeppelin,
The Ramones, Linkin Park, Foo Fighters,
Kings of Leon, Queens of the Stone Age,
those sorts of earthy rock bands.
Can you play a musical instrument?
I keep on threatening to play the guitar.
I’ve had some lessons and I do own a guitar,
although it’s gathering dust at home.
Have you got a favourite holiday
destination?
Probably the Sunshine Coast. We’ve got
fond memories of that place because we
spent four years in Queensland when I
was state manager for Owen’s Group quite
some years ago. We used to spend every
available weekend on the Sunshine Coast.
We love it up that part of the world.
Are there any social causes you feel
strongly about?
Children’s rights and poverty, people who
can’t help themselves. I have concerns in
those areas but am also pleased that in a
number of those areas there seems to be
improvements by governments and social
systems but there are still some challenges.
Is there any Australian you find
inspiring?
The late Bob Hawke. I think he’s probably
the best Prime Minister we’ve had. He made
brave decisions with a social and economic
conscience. He could relate to Australians
of all walks of life. He was probably one of
a kind and we probably won’t see his like
again unfortunately.
CBFCA
66 August 2019
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