There’s something really rewarding about being able to show off your hometown to someone seeing it for the first time—especially when that someone is Glen Karl, one of my earliest and hardest-working hires from our team in the Philippines. Having him spend a couple of weeks with us here in Sydney was a fantastic opportunity not just for collaboration, but for connection, celebration, and a proper Aussie experience.
We kicked things off in style with a day on the harbour—cruising past the Sydney Opera House, soaking in the bridge, and giving Glen the iconic Sydney welcome. You could see the excitement in his face the whole time, and honestly, it made me appreciate the city all over again through fresh eyes.
We then spent a day hiking through the breathtaking Blue Mountains, winding along lush trails, soaking in the views, and getting drenched by the spray of a powerful waterfall—it was rugged, raw, and absolutely unforgettable. Both Glen and Louise handled it like a champ. Laughter, sweat, soaked clothes from the spray of the waterfall, and that perfect sense of being alive in nature—it doesn’t get much better.
It wouldn’t be an Easter weekend in Australia without a bit of rugby league, so we took him along to Panthers v Sharks on Easter Sunday. Then came Easter Monday, with Eels v Tigers from the comfort of a catered box at Accor Stadium—because if you're going to do footy, you may as well do it right. Glen fit right in, drinks in hand, cheering on the action like a natural.
In between the big adventures, we enjoyed the little things too—autumn leaves and breakfast at Cafe Madeleine, great conversation, and the always-welcoming presence of Louise, who joined us for much of the Easter weekend. Glen arrived at the perfect time of year; Sydney in autumn is hard to beat.
And of course, we wrapped it all up the right way: dinner and drinks at Coogee Pavilion with the wider team—Jessica, Richard, Edward, and others—to celebrate a great visit and send Glen off in style. It was one of those nights where laughter came easy and stories flowed freely. A fitting farewell for someone who’s not just a colleague, but a genuine part of the team’s journey.
Glen Karl came to Sydney as a first-time visitor, but he left as family. I'm incredibly proud of the work he’s done, the growth he’s shown, and I’m so glad we had the chance to share a week of Aussie life with him—waterfalls, footy, food and all.
