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Four-time Bathurst 1000 champion, V8 Supercar driver, and Merlin ambassador, Greg Murphy, like all of us, in the past 12 months has had to pivot and navigate a changing work schedule.
2020 brought an unprecedented, yet welcomed opportunity to spend a lot more time with his family than would normally be the case and focus on his New Zealand based commitments, including his role as Brand ambassador for Merlin.
Greg Murphy has been a Merlin ambassador for three years, and it was a very natural partnership for him, as he feels Merlin’s company values naturally align with his own.
“As a racing car driver, I’ve obviously always had a very serious connection with all things Safety. I’ve been advocating for well over 10 years now on many different road safety initiatives, including launching a young driver practical training program in New Zealand.
“In many ways Driver Safety starts at home in the garage, so adding Merlin’s myQ technology with its premium safety and security features to our garage door setup has been an awesome inclusion,” explains Greg.
“Merlin’s myQ App has even helped make some contactless delivery incredibly easy and secure. Any online shopping we have done as well as other deliveries can be placed in our garage. You can open the garage door without getting up from your couch or if you’re not home, it’s just as effortless using the myQ App,” he continues.
When it comes to the year that was, while being at home in New Zealand, it initially took him some getting used to.
“I can tell you that in the last 20 years I’ve not spent as many nights consecutively in my own bed as what I have this last year. It was a bit of a shock, especially for my wife. But we’re still together, and we still like each other after a very unusual 2020!” says Greg.
For Greg, his calendar is usually tied to the Supercar Championship events. So, when the Australian Grand Prix was cancelled in March 2020, Greg rushed home from Melbourne to New Zealand, and that was the last time he has set foot in an international airport.
While he has not spent as much time travelling, Greg has found the opportunity to be around home more often really refreshing.
“It’s been great being able to do as most fathers or husbands do, being around more. It’s also been really enjoyable not being stuck to my normal schedule and having more flexibility, I’ve learnt over the years to see “change” as an opportunity,” Greg shares.
Looking ahead at 2021, Greg is excited for what the year will bring. Although he won’t be travelling internationally anytime soon, he is focusing his efforts on his ambassador and New Zealand TV roles, and continuing to highlight the importance of garage safety.
For more information about Merlin’s range of garage door openers and accessories, contact our Customer Service team on 0800 653 667 or visit our website.