Endurance

Nothing has challenged me more than this project.

I took a bold step in purchasing a vacant piece of land on a steep slope, drawn to its breathtaking ocean and mountain views. With a reasonably sized area of 1,000sqm, the plot is on a steep slope which makes it all the more daunting. While I developed the concept myself, I sought the expertise of talented Papua New Guinean engineers to help me overcome some of the difficulties of the steep terrain.

Planning is one thing; execution is another. This project has been a true test of character, with progress feeling painstakingly slow at times. But after much persistence, today marks the completion of the 3m high retaining wall. As one of the engineers told me, the hardest part is the site preparation and foundation—100% true!

Ironically, I had just finished watching the Endurance documentary. I highly recommend it to anyone looking for inspiration. It’s a powerful reminder that perseverance, grit, and vision can transform challenges into triumphs.

My connection to Endurance actually goes back to my former colleague and good friend Tim Griffiths from my time at Ashurst. Tim authored a book of the same name, inspired by the incredible adventures of Frank Hurley, the famed Australian photographer. Hurley captured some of the world’s most iconic images, from Antarctic expeditions to remote tribes in Papua New Guinea. The story centres on the winter of 1915, when explorer Ernest Shackleton’s ship, The Endurance, became trapped in Antarctic ice, sparking a brutal struggle for survival for 28 men.

Of course, my challenge pales in comparison to that faced by Shackleton and his crew. But my point is: we all have struggles, and with perseverance, grit, and vision, we can overcome them.

Reading Tim’s book and watching the documentary has been a reminder of how inspiration often reveals its true value when we find ourselves in the midst of our own challenges.