For much of Peter Bushby’s 45-year real estate career, he has battled with Multiple Sclerosis.
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A name synonymous with Launceston, Mr Bushby started in real estate way back in 1971 at the tender age of 17.
In the early ‘80s he took over half of his father’s agency Bushby and Co, where he would work about a decade before selling in 1996.
During his early career Mr Busby noticed numbness in his torso, unsteadiness and an occasional lack of energy.
In 1979 he was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis.
Mr Bushby lived in semi-denial for many years.
“It wasn’t until about 20 years ago that I had another MRI and that was conclusive,” he said.
“It confirmed what I knew but it still was hard to finally accept the finding as the undeniable reality.
“Whilst devastating, there was little I could do and I had to accept my lot and get on with life.”
And get on with it he did.
In 1996 he started trading from his home as Peter Bushby Real Estate.
It was a sole operation that represented a “major adjustment” from Bushby and Co, where he managed a large team.
“My business model can be a little bit lonely, you have to be quite self-reliant and back your own judgment and deal with all the issues,” he said.
“The buck starts and finishes with you – it really required you to be a jack of all trades.
“I enjoy doing the day to day stuff and being the coalface of what’s happening rather than being trapped in a big office.”
Since then Mr Bushby has sold about 1400 properties, mostly in Launceston.
He is a former president of the Real Institute of Tasmania and three-term president of the national Real Estate Institute of Australia.
After 15 years he will leave the Tasmanian board next month.
He has also recently been appointed to the government’s Property Agents Trust.
With his optimistic attitude, Mr Bushby insists there are people with MS worse off than him.
“I have managed to continue to work, running my own real estate business and enjoy a pretty good quality of life,” he said.
“I have had to accept and learn to live with my limitations.”
Having Multiple Sclerosis means his biggest risk is falling.
“My balance is not good, I have strength issues particularly with my right leg and hip and I struggle to walk even short distances without the aid of a walking stick and even then, I tire quickly and can’t walk much more than 50 metres without resting,” he said.
Despite the challenges, Mr Bushby has not let MS affect how he goes about his business.
His most serious incident was several years ago when he slipped while getting out of the shower – breaking several ribs.
“From a safety perspective, I need to be practical,” he declared.
“I personally avoid handling properties where steep sites are involved and with lots of steps and inadequate handrails are in place but otherwise I am always up for the opportunity.
“Stress is regarded as a good thing to minimise if you have MS.
“Over the years I have probably not heeded that advice with some of the roles I have undertaken with business, in my profession and even with my Rotary Club, but I have managed.”
He said the support provided to him was greatly appreciated.
“I truly appreciate the fact that so many people have been supportive of me knowing I have MS – in my business and personal life,” he said.
“I also admit to being a little disappointed on several occasions with people who I am sure have avoided me principally because of my MS disability.”
A lover of cars, Mr Bushby admits the disease has at least one advantage.
“Trying to find a positive in having MS is that I qualify for and have a disabled parking pass and this helps from a mobility perspective as it often gets you closer to where you are going and for me, that lessens the risk of falling and hurting myself,” he laughed.
“I am still able to drive and go about most of life’s daily activities as normally as possible, albeit sometimes a little slower than I would like.”
These days he remains focused on his Launceston business.
He recalls the Whitlam era of the 1970s when the real estate industry was booming.
While today’s numbers do not reach those heights, he said the state was traversing through a period of growth.
“The market has improved as the state economy has improved,” he said.
“As long as major external influences don’t attack us – the likes of North Korea and so on could have implications.
“We’re in a bit of a purple patch – we’ve got a lot of things going right.”
After selling his share of the business in 1996 he turned down an opportunity to live and work in Queensland.
He remained in Tasmania because of family and the lifestyle.
The accomplished agent shared a few tips for young entrepreneurs and business people looking to make a career.
“Know your product, make sure that you stay true to what you’re doing and do the right thing by your clients – be honest and ethical and look to the long-term,” he said.
Not bad for a man who had intended to study law.
