Ryan Palmer has been working tirelessly for Nelson Bay over the past several years.
He has a huge public profile and News Of The Area had the opportunity to sit down with Ryan to find out more about the man behind the public persona.
Ryan Palmer’s Grandfather, Philip Palmer, owns the Santa Catalina Motel at Shoal Bay.
Attending St Michael’s Primary School in Nelson Bay, Ryan then went to San Clemente and St Francis Xavier High Schools in Newcastle.
“My Mum Kim did an amazing job as a single parent, raising my siblings and I,” Ryan Palmer told Bay News Of The Area.
At the age of seven, Ryan began playing tennis at Nelson Bay Tennis Club following in the footsteps of his grandfather.
When he was ten years old he was training every day of the week and playing tournaments on the weekend.
At fifteen years old, Ryan was given the opportunity to move to Texas in the US to train at John Newcombe’s Tennis Ranch.
Over the next four years he travelled the world on the World Junior Tennis Tour and then ultimately the ATP Tour.
He spent time playing in Mexico, Canada, Fiji, New Zealand, USA, Indonesia and Guatemala.
When Ryan returned home he took some time away from the tennis court to relax and recharge and met up with his now wife Jessica.
Jessica and Ryan later married in 2009 and now have two beautiful children, Bella, five, and Knox, two.
“I like nothing more than spending time with my kids or finding the time to have a beer with my Pa or catching up with any of our family or friends,” Mr Palmer said.
Ryan Palmer has been the Manager of “The Greater “ at both Salamander Bay and Nelson Bay for many years, but recently resigned in order to concentrate fully on his role as President of Tomaree Business Chamber and Convener of the newly formed Nelson Bay NOW.
For the next 12 months, Ryan is dedicating all of his time working with numerous organisations around Port Stephens including the Chamber and Nelson Bay NOW to ensure that Nelson Bay and surrounds can be the absolute best possible place it can be.
By Jewell DRURY