Sometimes it is the simple things in life that lead us back to ourselves. When all is said and done, your trials and tribulations can lead you back to simplicity. The simple conversations, the planting of some herbs in a garden, riding your bike with the wind in your hair. These are some things Conor enjoys.

 

Perhaps his experience in his early youth living with Buddhist monks, and practicing meditation and mindfulness, has come back full circle to remind him of what is important.

 

Some of you may know Conor from our Walk & Talk, where each month Conor creatively maps out where and what walk we will do. Or maybe you have seen him assisting in the kitchen at our Cook & Talk, or chatting at Tea & Talk? Aside from an active participant, he is also a cherished volunteer.

 

When Conor returned from OS a few years ago to Adelaide, he was looking for a volunteering opportunity, and found Uniity aligned with his values and philosophy.

 

“My philosophy is we need each other and we need to nurture each other as it is in our DNA - so connection is so important.

 

I found Uniity on Volunteering SA/NT website and thought is incorporated lots of things that I liked – it was serendipity in action,” he said

 

It was not always like this for Conor. When he first engaged with Uniity, he came up to the cafe door for our Tea & Talk, but could not bring himself to come in and sit with strangers. Thankfully, he pushed past this, and now he is hosting a range of our activities and is very actively involved.

 

“Sometimes you need to push yourself, and by doing this you may in fact surprise yourself.

 

It is reminisce of the quote “nothing ventured, nothing gained”....

 

I have always been a people person, I find people so very interesting. I get so much out of helping people. By listening, just being there to listen, you can pick up on people’s energy. Just being there is very powerful,” he said.

 

 

Conor has definitely pushed himself out of his comfort zone throughout his life.

 

He has set up multiple businesses all over the world. From working as a house painter and decorator, to travelling the Atlantic on a fishing trawler, and working on building sites in the countryside of Holland.

 

He once opened a deli in Melbourne that morphed into a cool bistro. From owning pubs in tiny towns in Germany to hosting big events under the stars in the Barossa for his catering company, you can see Conor has lived a full life.

 

As he believes “that a life half lived is a life not lived.”

 

Maybe that is why Conor is such a good conversationalist. He can hold a conversation on a breadth of subjects, from art, movies, culture to philosophical notions. The topic may even shift onto his two adult children, who he counts as his greatest achievement.

 

Conor gets so much out of Uniity, on a human to human level.

 

“As we are all too aware, there is so much adversity in the world. It is so important to approach life with a simple attitude, to pare things down, this is what Uniity is all about...... welcoming anyone and everyone, as they are in the moment. No judgement, all encompassing, and welcoming.” 

 

“The amazing thing about Uniity is the people that you meet, such a variety, from all walks of life, and cultural and socio backgrounds. When you are all together, none of that matters, it is just you as a person in the moment,” he said.