From the beach to the boardroom (and beyond)

My journey began at the beach.

In 1964, I joined the North Bondi Surf Life Saving Club, a decision that would shape much of my personal and professional life. One of my earliest duties was being part of the guard of honour for our now King.

In the late 1960s and early 1970s, surf carnivals were far smaller than they are today. It was common to compete in multiple events at a single carnival. On any given day, you might move from a surf boat race to a beach sprint, then the march past, followed by a surf race – finishing exhausted but satisfied.

There was also some club folklore. New members were said to be stood against a wall while rocks were thrown at them. If you didn’t duck, you were considered suitable for the boat crew. After a few years, I learnt to duck and began paddling surf skis.

Life at North Bondi

By the early 1970s, I was paddling double skis with my good friend John. In 1973, we won three Sydney Branch Titles and finished second in the NSW Championships. Together with another John, we later won Gold at the NSW Titles in 1977, with silver medals in 1976 and 1978.

Over the past 50 years, we have competed in numerous single and double ski events in both open and masters competition at NSW and Australian championships.

During my 60 years of membership at North Bondi, I have held the positions of Captain, President, Secretary and Public Officer, and served on the committee for more than 40 years.

While President, I assisted with the seamless acceptance of female lifesavers into the club and introduced the first professionally organised ocean swims and Ironman events, both of which became important fundraisers.

I continue to compete in masters events, and I remain actively involved as a coach and mentor. I am a Life Member and Patron of this club, which continues to play a central role in my life.

From the sand to the city

My professional career began in the late 1960s as an engineering assistant at the Department of Motor Transport, where I worked on the design of intersections and traffic signals.

In the 1970s, I moved into planning roles with Ku-ring-gai Council, followed by Woollahra Council, where I became Deputy Town Planner. In 1984, I was appointed Director of Planning and Community Development at Leichhardt Council, managing more than 120 staff across town planning, social planning, childcare and seniors care.

It was during this time that I developed a strong appreciation for the importance of planning for ageing and the role the built environment plays in supporting independence and quality of life.

Establishing GSA Planning

In 1988, my wife Vicki and I established Gary Shiels and Associates, a planning consultancy where I served as Managing Director and Vicki as a Director.

Our first office opened in Paddington in 1990, and the company went on to expand across NSW and Queensland. Over time, GSA Planning developed a reputation for negotiating successful outcomes with metropolitan councils and became recognised for its expertise in seniors housing, master planning, urban design and planning for successful ageing.

In 2021, I stepped down as Managing Director, gifting and partly selling the business to long-time colleague George Karavanas. I continued working as a consultant and later served as an Acting Commissioner in the Land and Environment Court.

I have since served as Chair and expert member on multiple Local Planning Panels and remain known for my professional judgement and ethical approach to planning.

Education and ongoing learning

Alongside my professional work, I have always valued education and continued learning. My formal qualifications include:

• PhD – Planning for Successful Ageing in an Age-Friendly Built Environment (UNSW, 2016)

• Master of Urban Design (University of Sydney, 2000)

• Master of Engineering Science (Transportation Planning) (UNSW, 1981)

• Master of Urban Studies (Macquarie University, 1978)

These studies reinforced my interest in the intersection between environment, lifestyle and ageing, and ultimately informed my research into successful ageing.

Beyond the boardroom

Today, my focus is firmly on sharing what I have learned.

Through Successful Ageing with Dr G, I draw on my research, professional experience and more than six decades as a competitor, coach and mentor. I continue to present on healthy ageing, promote the benefits of exercise and a Mediterranean-style diet, and challenge the assumption that ageing must involve decline.

My book, My Blueprint for Successful Ageing, brings together research findings, lived experience and observations from people who have aged well.

From the beach to the boardroom – and now beyond – my work has been guided by a consistent belief: how we age is largely determined by how we live.