Patrick and Freddie – Capitol Bar and Grills favourite power couple.

By Sas Lyon

Patrick O’Connor is a legend whose name inspires equal measures of awe and fondness in the QT Canberra team. He is a prolific supporter of Capitol Bar and Grill, QT Canberra’s hatted dining option, the CEO of Parkhill Financial group and Superhero Insurance, and the father to Freddie – a wild-eyed French Bulldog who has won the heart of this larger than life corporate juggernaut.

We sat down with Patrick, Freddie the Frenchie, and Belinda (Freddie’s minder, owner of Red Hill Pet Concierge, and Patrick’s friend) to learn a bit about how Patrick came to be a much loved and very frequent diner at Capitol Bar and Grill, and about what lead him to his role as CEO and Freddie’s Human.

Sas: So Patrick, tell me about what brings you to Canberra in terms of work.

Patrick: I have homes in Canberra, Sydney, and Mossy Point but spend most of my time in Canberra where I run the Parkhill Financial Group,Superhero Insurance and RAMS Home Loans ACT North with my brother Martyn.

Sas: Sounds like a busy life!

Patrick: Absolutely. Added to that is Freddie who can’t stay with me when I’m in my apartment in Canberra (it’s not dog friendly), so Belinda takes care of him and I visit them.

Sas: You must get separation anxiety! He is too cute!

Patrick: That’s how I ended up at Capitol Bar and Grill. I came on a Wednesday night and had Freddie with me. I had cheekily called up and said that he was my brothers dog and I was unable to find someone to take care of him. Jeremy (Authors note: This is Jeremy Magan our Restaurant Manager) was brilliant and said that we could have an outside table. We have been back to what is now know as Freddie’s table every Wednesday.

Sas: That is such a fantastic story. So what do you guys have from the menu each Wednesday?

Patrick: I have the T-Bone with mash and Freddie has the chefs choice (meat offcuts). I team my steak with a Sav Blanc of Jeremy’s choice, and Freddie has water.

Sas: Of course he does! How did you end up with Freddie? You seem like such a tight little partnership. I can’t imagine you without each other.

Patrick: Freddie originally came into my life when I was with Pernille. Even though she loves him like any mother, when we went our separate ways she graciously let the bromance continue. I have suffered from severe stress, depression, and anxiety most of my life and there is something so incredible about having Freddie with me that seems to ease the symptoms.

Sas: Well, he really is a special little guy.

Patrick: Yes – I only ‘came out’ about my mental illnesses earlier this year and it was quite a confronting and challenging time for me. It was also really invigorating to speak with people who you would not know were suffering (mostly as they were suffering alone and in silence). I listened to these people around me who were battling their inner thoughts without much support so decided to use my ability to address a crowd that I’ve gleaned from years of corporate work for the greater good! Up until recently I was a youth presenter with the Black Dog Institute. I found the the work I did with the schools to be the most rewarding days of my life by addressing and assisting teenagers and school kids who were dealing with situations that were way beyond the scope of what would be considered manageable by even the most together adult.

Sas: Wow – that’s quite incredible Patrick. How do you find your work at Parkhill, Superhero and RAMS matches up with the want you have to improve peoples wellbeing in a real way?

Patrick: There are times where I look at what I do and can’t believe how lucky I am. For example, I have a client who has been on a work cover claim for 15 years. He told me that without the insurance that we put in place for him he would not have been around to see his Grandkids. The impact that you can make when you hunt for the opportunity to make a positive footprint can be immeasurable.

Sas: Such a cool way to look at life. Ok, onto the local scene. Have you met any Pollie’s and if so, who is your fave?

Patrick: I have met Peter Costello a few times and have an affinity with his dry sense of humour. He once came to an event for a Japanese insurance company I was working in because one of the high level senior executives came over from Japan to visit the local office. I organised a breakfast with Peter Costello as the key speaker. The visiting exec was on our table at the breakfast and had absolutely no idea who Peter Costello was. I tried so hard to get him to understand but it only came together for our Japanese guest when Peter got up to say the address with his name behind him on the screen and I could see that our visitor had Peter Costello’s wikipedia link up on his phone. We had spent so much money on this breakfast but my Japanese colleague didn’t have a clue who the guest of honour was. When Peter sat back down at the table he said ‘He doesn’t have a clue who I am.’ Very matter of factly, to which I replied equally as dryly, ‘That is correct Peter.’

He was completely cool with it.

Sas: *Lol* First time in history Peter Costello has been called ‘cool’. Thanks Patrick, I’ve really enjoyed finding out more about you! Thanks also for being such an awesome supporter of QT.