"Once you have designed one bridge, two, three, by the time you design your tenth bridge it is becoming almost boring.
"In engineering there wasn't for me anymore a challenge."
Born in Poland, Andrew Nowosad speaks with an exotic accent and conjures up turns of phrase that are poetically original - the combination a fitting complement to the books, art works, artifacts, fine wine and good food with which he surrounds himself and those with whom he crosses paths.
Leaving behind the life they had known - "My accountant told me, Andrew you must forget the labels on your shirt and the car you drive" - Andrew and his wife Elizabeth, a former academic and statistician, bought a boutique hotel in Ulladulla.
"I wanted to work with people.
"In hospitality, if you do something right, you get an immediate return - a big smile. And if you stuff it up, you get an immediate response too.
"The immediate response becomes the payment for what you do - how good the food was, how good the wine was, how good the service was, how enjoyable the paintings are, how wonderful the night was.
"This is what I find working in hospitality - satisfaction."
What Andrew does, he does with passion.
The man simply bubbles with enthusiasm. Enthusiasm for the energy and potentlal of his mostly young, local staff; enthusiasm for the community he now feels a part of; for the region he has adopted as his home; enthusiasm for a good conversation or for the opportunity to spoil his guests.
Off the highway, hidden by a rainforest garden, and fittingly quirky and cosy, Ulladulla Guest House is the only five-star hotel between Sydney and Melbourne.
"Money for me is not number one priority - a successful life is measured by what you have done.
"So enrich your life with long-lasting experiences - an exhibition opening, a glass of wine, good food, the smell of a flower, a bush walk."
Like a ripened grape on the vine, Andrew plucks life's moments and relishes each morsel.
"In Sydney we used to live ten minutes walk from the Opera House. Joan Sutherland was our neighbour - we could hear her practising.
"People ask - do you regret coming to Ulladulla?
"No! We go to the opera as much as we did when we lived right there, and appreciate it more."
Europe may have its history and culture, says Andrew, Sydney its own selling points, but here he finds there is a regional attraction that surpasses all of that.
"The fresh air, the community, the vibrant culture, the beauty of the region.
"Here there is less crime, more trust and real values. Values and priorities are different from in the city.
"Here everyone knows each other and it's a lovely feeling."
The way Andrew sees it, Milton, the creative hub; Ulladulla the business centre; and Mollymook, the beach scene - each unique in its own way - come together to form a strong, enthusiastic community.
Already proving itself by holding fast over such varied issues as the cancer out-patients facility, Lewis Dunn Centre, Future Park, the Woolworths issue, and the saving of Bawleystock, Andrew sees that community as a force to be reckoned with.
"So State Government, the Commonwealth and Council need to be aware of its strength.
"We've got a higher proportion of passionate individuals who are prepared to fight for certain objectives from the heart - they care about the future.
"In global characteristics - sensitive to the beauty of the area, the environment, culture and spirituality."
And so, the area attracts and sustains diversity, observes Andrew. Diversity of beliefs, diversity of culture - expressed through a diversity of arts, music, and cultural and social groups.
"This town has a lot more going for it than other regions."
A smile never far from his lips, his eyes twinkling like a mischievous school boy, Andrew is indomitably positive.
It is the result, he recognises, of a number of things.
A brush with death, positive experiences and the right attitude.
"If you're feeling miserable, you look outside. You see the harbour, greenery. You realise how lucky you are.
"It's up to you to see it. It's up to you to see it in your life.
"Positive brings positive.
"If you are into seeing good things in your life, you will see them."
Andrew and Elizabeth fell in love with the South Coast while driving through on holiday.
They bought the guest house, "to get into the region."
Their simple philosophy is - spoil the guests.
"We take the liberty of offering this package, appealing to all the senses."
Their pride and joy is Elizans where they offer not only fine dining, but often live music, and the visceral pleasure of inspiring art works.
"People have to realise you can be dining in a nice environment and not break the bank.
Andrew believes it is an investment well worth the money.
"Look after your number one asset," implores Andrew - "your relationship."
"Enjoy your life and look to the future."
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