Employer Focus: Scotchmans Hill
30 June 2006
Established in 1982, Scotchmans Hill is a family owned vineyard and winery located on the Bellarine Peninsula.
With over 400 acres of vines and more planned in the future, Scotchmans Hill is continually looking for a reliable workforce for their seasonal work. In the past two years MatchWorks has provided over 25 staff to Scotchmans Hill.
“We have got the best class of workforce from you,” explains Vineyard Manager Dennis Mathers, “I know I can just call you (MatchWorks) and you will have a pool of people automatically available to send to me”.
“The quality and suitability of people has been great and the communication with Elvio (Business Development Manager, Elvio Surdich) has been excellent,“ says Vineyard Manager Sally Enders, “I know if we ever have any issues he is always available to talk”.
Scotchmans Hill provide their employees with on the job training, this may include being put through various related licences and certificates such as a forklift licence or chemical users certificate. Additionally, for the right people, Scotchmans Hill will put them through a traineeship in Viticulture.
The work is seasonal and involves mostly pruning and training of young vines, although as Sally Enders points out, she started in a labour position pruning and training vines and is the now one of the Vineyard Managers.
From the seasonal workers Scotchmans Hill will keep some on full-time. Trevor Boddington is one such worker: “Trevor came to us from MatchWorks as a casual employee and he is a really valuable staff member and has now been put onto full time,” says Dennis, “We really look for good people to help grow our business”.
Looking out from the spectacular 1851 Spray Farm homestead, arguably one of Victorias most picturesque settings, Sally and Dennis survey the rolling hills which surround the homestead: “It can be a really rewarding process starting with a bare paddock; ten thousand posts and forty thousand vines later, a vineyard stands before you and you can look back on your work and be proud”.
Spray farm is available to hire and cater for weddings, corporate events, conferences and private functions. For more information about Scotchmans Hill or Spray Farm visit the website at www.scotchmanshill.com.au