Adaptability and connection run through much of Robb Nuus’s story.
Throughout his working life, Robb has been willing to try new things, adapt to changing circumstances and take opportunities as they arose — eventually establishing two successful businesses with his partner, Jackie.
Away from work, family connections have become increasingly important to him, while Sturt Bowling Club has provided another important circle of friendships through Night Owls, pennant bowls and volunteer work.
Robb has been part of Sturt’s Tuesday Night Owls for 15 years and now gives back to the club through volunteering, sponsorship and his involvement in the marketing task group.
Robb, I understand your parents migrated from the Netherlands to Adelaide in 1959 and settled around Gilles Plains, where many other migrant families were living. You were born and went to school there. What was your childhood like, and how important was your Dutch heritage growing up?
My childhood was pretty ordinary. I grew up in a Housing Trust area, which was a little bit rough but we didn't know any different at the time.
My Dutch heritage didn't mean too much at the time because most of the people we knew came from all over the place. It's only later in life that it means more to me.
You obviously still value your connection with your extended family in the Netherlands and sometimes rendezvous with them in Asia. What has helped keep those family connections so strong?
Since losing my father 35 years ago, I started to make family connections overseas because I didn't have much connection with my family here.
Also, it became more affordable to travel and with internet and social media making everyone more connected.
You were a keen Australian Rules footballer in your younger days. What led you to play for teams in Nairne and Port Wakefield, both some distance from Adelaide?
I played Aussie Rules as a teenager and young adult for Nairne Bremer because I had a few mates play there.
Then I met my partner Jackie, who came from Port Wakefield, so I went and played a season up there while she played netball.
After sustaining some significant injuries and work commitments, I decided to forego my sporting career.
I understand you also tried your hand at several other sports. What were they, and why did you not go on with them?
Socially I tried tennis and squash but wasn't very good at either, not worth mentioning really.
You first tried bowls through Night Owls at Unley Park, then formed your own team, Ponderosa, which has competed in Sturt’s Tuesday Night Owls for about 15 years. What has kept you and the team coming back for so long?
Ponderosa was formed at Unley Park as a bit of a social outlet amongst a few friends and we moved to Sturt because they started a Tuesday night comp.
The team has changed a lot over the years with some people dropping in and out depending on work commitments, but it’s still a good social outlet for everyone involved.
After all those years of Night Owls, what prompted you to take the next step into pennant bowls four seasons ago?
I took the next step to pennants as I was reaching the end of my working career and didn't want to just sit around at home, so I started playing just Wednesdays but am now playing most Saturdays as well.
You always appear composed — and usually happy — on the green. Is that how you actually feel when you are playing, or is there more going on underneath?
Yeah, it's my happy place. I enjoy the people I'm playing with.
I'm outdoors catching some sun and enjoying life in general when I'm on the green.
Besides bowling regularly, you are frequently around the club volunteering — behind the bar and at the BBQ and as part of the marketing task group. Where does that willingness to contribute come from?
I get a lot of enjoyment being here, so it's only fair I give something back to the club. Working behind the bar I also get to talk to everyone that's a part of the club.
Your working life has taken you through John Martin’s and Godfreys in Adelaide and a duty-free business in Cairns before you and Jackie established your first business, Waste Not Want Not. What gave the two of you the confidence and drive to go into business for yourselves?
I started work at John Martin’s in 1981, where I worked in all different areas ending up selling electronics, which is where I met my partner, Jackie.
I then moved on to working in a duty-free chain which gave me the opportunity to move to Cairns and work up there for a few years.
We moved back to Adelaide where I began working for Godfreys selling furniture and electrical.
After a few years, we decided to branch out on our own and with a head full of ideas and a few bucks in the bank, we opened our first shop The Waste Not Want Not Shop (WNWN) in Murray Bridge in 1994, before moving it to Goodwood in 1996.
We opened Flourish on King William Rd in 2004, running two shops simultaneously, and we sold WNWN in 2008.
You have said that the business has required you to keep changing direction. What drives those changes, and how comfortable are you with having to continually adapt?
I think we have managed to be successful because we are constantly changing and we complement each other in the way we are able to work together with each having different strengths.
Flourish is also a sponsor of Sturt Bowling Club. Why was supporting the club something you wanted the business to do?
Flourish became a sponsor a few years ago when I semi-retired and started playing pennant, so I thought it was a good time to do that.
What is the one thing you value most about Sturt Bowling Club — and, if you could tweak one thing about the club, what would it be?
I value the friendships I've made along the way. I don't think the club as such needs tweaking, but I am looking forward to the redevelopment.
Finally, your beard has become something of a trademark — and certainly makes you easy for the club photographer to spot. What is the story behind it? Is there a family tradition, or is it entirely your own creation?
Not much of a story behind the beard – whilst travelling one year I just let it grow and grow it did, sometimes a little bit too wild and woolly, but staying for now.