Real estate whiz retires

Allan Gough with one of the for sale signs he made in the early days of his real-estate career.

ONE of the biggest names in Clarence Valley real estate is leaving the business after 36 years in the game.

Allan Gough began his lengthy career at Bailey and Gough as an "office girl".

However Allan quickly made his mark on the agency and the way real estate was bought and sold in the Valley.

"When I first started, the properties for sale were displayed on a card with a six by four black and white photo attached to a peg board by golf tees.

"After some talk, I convinced my employers that a colour photo would look so much better and after a while, I got my way."

In another effort to update the way listings were presented, Allan asked his employers if he could order some For Sale signs to properly advertise properties. He was told they weren't needed.

Not one to take no for an answer, Allan made his own.

"I purchased some rectangle sheets of zincalume and painted them yellow then stencilled some sign writing on them. They worked well for some time," he said.

When it came to sales however, Allan has some fond memories of his achievements.

"In 1978, we sold a house on South Hill for $45,000 and it was the talk of the town. No-one could believe that a house in the Grafton area could ever sell for that much.

"I have always enjoyed selling on the coastal areas of Wooli, Minnie Water and Diggers Camp. Possibly the best auction we have ever held was at Diggers Camp Crown Land where we sold all eight lots well above the reserve and also two houses that day," he said.

Allan is now looking forward to spending time in his shed, travelling in his caravan and doing some developments.

Allan's share in the company has been sold, and Derek Morgan's new partner is Rod Ford.