Get Strata'd with Rachael Goldsworthy and Tim Sara

Juggling a Newborn and Professional role in Strata – Clarity, Boundaries & Better Outcomes.

This conversation isn't about "doing it all" or pretending it's easy. It's about how becoming a parent forces clearer thinking about work, boundaries, and what delivers good outcomes in strata.

Today's episode of Get Strata'd offers a conversation with Tim Sara Group Licensee in Charge at NXG Group who has more than 16 years experience - Tim blends statutory compliance leadership with deep expertise in client retention and operational reform. We unpack:-

1. Juggling a newborn and a professional role in strata

• What changes when you add a newborn into an already demanding profession

• Why the challenge isn't time management, but energy and decision-making

• How parenthood forces sharper prioritisation rather than just longer hours

2. Rethinking after-hours work and expectations in strata

• Why strata historically expected nights and weekends in a way other professions do not

• The difference between being available and being effective

• How 6:30pm AGMs and late-night emails often lead to fatigue, mistakes, and slower outcomes

• Why planning AGMs and key work during business hours leads to better preparation, clearer decisions, and better follow-through

3. Boundaries as a professional standard, not a personal preference

• Why boundaries aren't about working less, but about working sustainably

• How clear boundaries improve service quality for owners and committees

• The long-term cost of burnout in the strata industry, and why it affects clients too

4. Systems over heroics

• How becoming a parent exposes fragile work setups very quickly

• Why good strata management relies on systems, documentation, and clear processes rather than "just call me"

• How removing reliance on constant availability improves consistency and accountability

5. Emotional labour in strata and at home

• The emotional weight of strata work: complaints, conflict, urgency, and pressure

• Why managing emotional load matters more once you're caring for a newborn

• How staying calm and structured leads to better outcomes than reactive engagement

6. How fatherhood has helped improve in Tim's strata practice

• Better clarity on what truly matters vs what just feels urgent

• Stronger communication and firmer decision-making

• Less tolerance for unnecessary noise and more focus on resolution

• Why becoming a parent has made me a more intentional, not less committed, professional

6. Positive Impact

• What has fatherhood taught you about clarity and decision-making?

• How has becoming a parent made you more intentional in your professional role?

• What unnecessary "noise" do you now ignore?

7. Modelling healthy governance for committees

• How the way strata managers work influences how committees behave

• Why structured, business-hours governance leads to better decision-making

• The idea that good leadership sets the tone for the whole community

Tim Sara is Group Licensee in Charge at NXG Group, Australia's sixth largest strata management company, overseeing Strata Choice, O'Connors strata and StrataEze.

With more than 16 years experience, Tim blends statutory compliance leadership with deep expertise in client retention and operational reform.

He regularly contributes to industry panels publications, and professional forums on governance, service delivery, and the future of strata management.

Today...New Beginnings. And the very First Episode of Get Strata'd. The Podcast designed to feature interviews with Industry Leaders, Strata Managers and Strata Communities. Sharing Thoughtful Discussions and Spirited Conversations, all in the hope to bridge the gap between people, processes and the best outcomes for all - offering real solutions for those within the strata space. Today's first episode of Get Strata'd offers wise counsel from the Industry Powerhouse, leading Australian Strata Lawyer, educator, and advocate for apartment living, Amanda Farmer. Today Amanda will be speaking on The Good, The Bad and The Must Know - 3 Reasons why Buying Strata is a Great Idea and Why you Want to Go in with your Eyes Wide Open. Amanda Farmer is a leading Australian strata lawyer, educator, and advocate for apartment living. As the owner of Lawyers Chambers, a strata-focused legal practice in Sydney, Amanda has over 20 years' experience guiding owners, managers, and stakeholders through the legal intricacies of strata living and governance. Amanda is the host of the Your Strata Property podcast, the longest-running and most respected podcast dedicated to helping strata owners and professionals navigate the complexities of strata properties. A Fellow and Council Member of the Australian College of Strata Lawyers, Amanda is widely recognised for her thought leadership and contribution to the field. She is also the founder of Women in Strata, a dynamic networking group empowering women working in strata management across Australia. An increasingly sought-after speaker and educator, Amanda shares her expertise through workshops, webinars, and keynote presentations, supporting strata and property managers, agents, owners, and residents to build stronger, more informed communities.