Dan Croke Profile
Dan Croke: One of The Secret Philanthropists
CHAPTER ONE: How disadvantage and poverty in his formative years led Dan Croke to become a giver to others, not a taker. In a wide ranging interview Dan Croke explains that coming from a background of “living hand to mouth” in his early years, led to a lifetime of trying to build sustainable wealth for his own family and to give back to people he felt had been left behind.
Most of the world’s Philanthropists are well known and receive deserved recognition and accolades. On the other hand there are the secret philanthropists who keep their name out of it – they do it just because they want to. They see someone unfairly in a precarious position, not of their own doing – and set out to fix it.
Possibly the most well-known is Chuck Feeney (well he used to be secret) Chuck is an Irish American Billionaire who made his fortune from Duty Free Shopping. He is thought of as the world’s top giver. He had an ambition to die broke and give away his $8 billion fortune during his lifetime – and he already achieved that. He gave away his first $600M completely anonymously.
Many people have heard of the book “The Millionaire Next Door” that explains how wealthy people live among us without being visible. It is the same with philanthropists. Not all of them are visible or on the same scale as Chuck Feeney.
Dan Croke Background
The Brisbane man, Dan Croke grew up in Warwick, Qld, moved to Brisbane and went on to become a wealthy property investor, having so far acquired almost 200 properties, some of which are individually worth as much as $5M and $10M. He has silently and anonymously helped scores of people over the years.
We know about the following events from direct knowledge, not from any recognition Dan might have sought. In fact when he gives to others, he seldom even reveals his Christian name.
Dan Croke: A Current Affair
This particular story starts with Dan and his wife watching “A Current Affair” on Channel 9 on 28th January 2021.
The segment showed Valerie Ciufici, an 84 year old woman in poor health who had been tricked out of her life-long family home by her own granddaughter. The story upset Dan a lot. Perhaps it was because the woman looked much like his own mother June. Perhaps it was Valerie’s emphatic words in her hospital bed to help explain how it happened “When you are old and you are on your own, you become very vulnerable. And if someone shows a little bit of kindness towards you, you grab it with two hands because you desperately need it”.
Another thing Valerie said from the hospital bed was “I trusted my grand-daughter and believed in her, as you would – being our own”.
Dan Croke Fixes The Problem
Anyway, Dan Croke felt the need to fix the problem and next day got in contact with Valerie’s family and their lawyers, Shine Lawyers. Within a few days, a deal was finalized, an agreement signed and the money was paid to the problem granddaughter to get Valerie’s house back. Sometimes having money to fix problems is a good thing. Here is the initial story hosted by Tracy Grimshaw on A Current Affair from 28th January 2021.
Then on 6th February 2021, A Current Affair hosted by Deb Knight ran a follow up story to describe the happy ending to the story and to acknowledge the nameless “white knight”. Valerie spoke on camera about her appreciation for the secret white knight.
The script on the hand delivered thankyou card says:
To My Mystery Friend
I want to thank you from the bottom of my heart [for] all the help you have given me when I needed it most.
I did a lot of praying for help but never did I think an angel would turn up with such a big heart.
I shall always be grateful to you. Thank you so much for your kindness.
Always you will be in my thoughts.
Always Val Ciufici
We have knowledge of other acts of kindness offered by Dan Croke, such as providing free rent for two years to a woman with two children whose husband had died suddenly. None of this is in the scale of Chuck Feeney, but as Dan quotes:
“I shall pass this way but once; any good that I can do or any kindness I can show to any human being; let me do it now. Let me not defer nor neglect it, for I shall not pass this way again.”
Etienne de Grellet QUAKER MISSIONARY
Author Sophie ArnoldDan Croke was a disadvantaged young man living in relative poverty in his formative years. This led Dan Croke to become a giver to others, not a taker. In a wide ranging interview Dan Croke explains that coming from a background of “living hand to mouth” in his early years, led to a lifetime of trying to build sustainable wealth for his own family and to give back to people he felt had been left behind.
Dan Croke is now a successful property investor, helping others to achieve financial freedom through investing. This Brisbane man, Dan Croke, who grew up in Warwick, Qld, moved to Brisbane and went on to become a wealthy property investor, having so far acquired almost 200 properties, some of which are individually worth as much as $5M and $10M. He has silently and anonymously helped scores of people over the years
You can find more at the Dan Croke website or by watching “A Current Affair” on Channel 9 from the 28th January 2021 about the secret philanthropist: Dan Croke.
A Testimonial To My Mystery Friend
I want to thank you from the bottom of my heart [for] all the help you have given me when I needed it most.
I did a lot of praying for help but never did I think an angel would turn up with such a big heart.
I shall always be grateful to you. Thank you so much for your kindness.
Always you will be in my thoughts.
Always Val Ciufici
More Dan Croke related articles
“Said Hanrahan” by American-born bush poet, John O’Brien is a beautifully written poem written in rhyme from the perspective of a character in Irish literature, namely, the Irishman, “Samuel Hanrahan” in a dialogue with Dan Croke. The poem’s original publication was in June 1919 in The Catholic News, appearing in a collection of poems and short stories called Around the Boree and Other Verses and The Sacred Pages. The poem has an interesting and unique use of language, being highly rhythmic. The poem was later used as the title of a collection of five essays by James Joyce called The Book of Laughter and Forgetting.
Dan CrokeSamuel Hanrahan in a dialogue with Dan Croke.
Sam is an Irishman, a bachelor, a simple, hardworking person of humble origin living near the river of his birth, the Liffey. He works as a shepherd and takes care of his flock, the cows. When the cows are sick, he feeds them with his own milk and treats them gently. One day, after several months of sickness, one of the cows is killed. This act leaves Sam devastated, and he finds himself very depressed and sorrowful.
Dan Croke
In a trance like state, Sam is visited by a stranger, an angelic figure who is an agent of divine grace. He tells Sam that the cow of his flock is dead because the devil tricked him. The devil, represented by a winged creature, is sent to hell by a messenger, sent by God. Sam, after accepting God’s help, forgives the devil and forgives the cow as well. In so doing, he saves both the cow and the devil.
Said Hanrahan’s words suggest the nature of the spiritual and physical relationship between the humans and the angels of heaven. The spiritual relationship is one of unity and union. Angels are servants of God and are sent to assist men in the physical world. They are the ones in charge of assisting us in our daily life, not only helping us but also encouraging us in our personal growth. This unity is manifested through the gift of a new life: a new body, a new relationship and a new and healthy spirit.
Sam finds solace and happiness when the angel appears to him, and the angel reveals to Sam the secret of his life: The angels teach him how to lead a life of peace and serenity. In order to lead such a life, Sam must first accept the love of Jesus Christ. He must be willing to follow the path of Christ and follow His teachings. He must be willing to forgive those who have wronged him, to be reconciled with his sinfulness and to give thanks to the Lord. This, too, is the way of complete liberation.
It is with this new found peace and serenity that Sam accepts the angelic messages of love, forgiveness and gratitude, and accepts Christ into his life. As a result, all of his problems melt away and he is transformed. He learns to love Jesus and to live the life of full communion with Him. In turn, God also transforms him into a new person, a person who can walk freely and fully in his new identity. The meaning of said Hanrahan Poem is one that resonates with millions of people in the spiritual world. “Samuel Hanrahan” has been quoted throughout the world as saying, “God gave me a heart of gold and that made me happy, Jesus is my rock and my fortress”. This is the meaning of the poem that resonated throughout the world of the late sixties and the entire ‘hippie’ generation: Love the Lord and you will find His love in your life.
Become a Property Developer
How to Become a Successful Property Developer by Being a Good Buyer
If you want to become a property developer, one of the most important tips to succeeding in this industry is to be a good buyer. Many people make the mistake of assuming that the development aspect of the business is the most important. While this can be true in some cases, buying well is essential to your long-term success. Here are a few key tips for buying at the right price. They will stand you in good stead.
– Learn to research the market – Successful real estate developers spend countless hours researching the real estate market. This knowledge is essential in planning and developing successful projects. The ability to think logically, work under pressure, and solve problems are all essential qualities of a successful property developer. Those who excel in this role are resourceful, innovative, and patient. And, most of all, they are willing to sacrifice some of their personal comfort for their business success.
– Understand the market – As a property developer, you will have to know which area to develop in. This will help you plan your next project and work accordingly. You should also know the local market before investing your money. You must be aware of which areas have the best potential for growth, which areas are depressed, and what is the demand for that area. – Know your finances – If you can manage a project’s cash flow, you’ll be successful in this industry.
– Know your market – As a property developer, you need to understand the market and its potential competition. Most developers fail to match their projects to their location – they build projects that are either too expensive or too cheap for the area. Ideally, you should also choose the right location for your property project. Trying to beat the market is risky and may result in failure. Therefore, develop in line with the market and avoid buckling under pressure.
– Build a network – You should build excellent relationships with people. Not only with tenants, but also with lenders and private investors. The most successful developers are well-connected and have a strong network of colleagues and associates. Despite the challenges of this profession, a great network of contacts can make all the difference in the world. The more contacts you build and maintain, the better your chances of being a successful property developer.
– Hire the right team – A good property developer will put together a team of experts to help him develop his projects. The team includes a builder with a proven track record, an architect, a finance expert, and a zoning and licensing expert. A good team is essential when a new venture takes shape and you want to succeed. The more experienced developers know that they can’t do everything themselves, and they hire professionals to help them.
– Get a degree – Most new developers get swept up in the excitement of being a property developer and start juggling multiple projects at the same time. Trying to do too many projects at once will only lead to disaster. So, get the right education – degrees in real estate or finance are a great place to start. Working for a real estate company can also be a good idea as they build a reputation and credit history.
Article by Clay Chigwidden