Jackie Shearer joins Heywood & Co Real Estate
Jackie Shearer has returned to Warragul and looks forward to focusing on a career in real estate with Barbara Heywood and the hard working team at Heywood & Co.
Jackie grew up on a dairy farm at Shady Creek and her parents passed on the strong work ethic that has seen her spend much of her working life building and developing businesses in and around Warragul. Jackie said “my parents bought the well-established Jones Irrigation & Machinery business in 2000. I worked in the business with an all new team from day one. I was a young woman with limited knowledge of irrigation but a passion and understanding of farming and farmers got me through.”
In 2006 Jackie and her family took on the challenge of expanding and moving the business to its current location in Queen Street, Warragul. Jackie said “the business achieved strong growth to the point where it became an industry leader. There were challenges and also great achievements in my role. Success was built on the ability to stock the right product and build strong relationships with businesses and farmers.”
The knowledge and maturity Jackie gained by managing and owning businesses was vital to her development. In 2013 Jackie left the family business and with this came great clarity and determination. Recent experience in the cropping areas of northern NSW and western Victoria only highlighted to Jackie how good the West Gippsland area is with its fantastic people, endless green pastures and positive business culture. When the opportunity came to relocate back to Warragul, Jackie and her husband Mike knew it was the right place for them and their future. Jackie’s son Cory lives and works in Melbourne, which provided another compelling reason to return to West Gippsland.
Jackie said “on return to Warragul I analysed my strengths and assessed how I want to spend the next 15 years of my working life. To focus on a career in real estate provides a challenge, plenty of people interaction and allows me to spend a lot of time with farmers and working around the agricultural industry that I am so passionate about. Real estate ticked all these boxes. It’s an industry that is very familiar to me as I’ve always shown a keen interest in commercial and residential movements, plus I have the personal experience of buying and selling many properties in the Warragul area.”
Jackie said “the opportunity to join Heywood and Co and work with Barbara and the team is terrific. Barbara shares my drive for success and her organisation provides a very high standard of service. Selling farms, homes, businesses and providing a confidential buyer’s agent service is my focus and l look forward to my career in the industry by offering a fresh and candid approach to real estate.”
Call in and see Jackie at Heywood & Co’s new offices located at 2/44-46 Albert Street, Warragul. Phone 5622 2580.
Changes are afoot at Wild Dog Winery and the owners anticipate that the winery and its restaurant will be taken to another level.
The Surman family purchased the property in early 2005 and have recently leased part of the property to three talented locals.
Acclaimed chef and former Big Spoon Little Spoon co-owner Trevor Perkins will operate the restaurant from March 1.
Local winemakers and viticulturalists William Downie and Patrick Sullivan will operate the vineyards and winery from February 1. The farm area of the property will be operated by the Surman family.
The restaurant will be renamed and Trevor plans to focus the seasonal menu on local produce, most of which will be sourced direct from local farmers.
Trevor has a particular passion for ‘cooking with fire’ and expects that these dishes will be popular items on the menu.
The wine list will be first class and will feature an outstanding range of Gippsland, Australian and imported wines.
Top notch service will also be a priority and Trevor believes the new offering will excite diners.
William Downie and Patrick Sullivan will source fruit from six West Gippsland vineyards, including the Wild Dog Vineyard, to produce their separate range of wines.
Both William and Patrick ship wine to more than 16 countries and supply wine to some of the world’s best restaurants.
An upgrade to the winery is planned and fortunately the Wild Dog wine brand will not be lost.
Gary Surman saying “it is our intention to have a select premium and smaller quantity of wines grown and made at Wild Dog by William and Patrick, to retain our brand and service select customers.”
With their move to Wild Dog, William and Patrick aim to improve the profile of the Baw Baw wine region over the next few months.
The three men want the property to be known as Wild Dog Vineyard, to become a ‘hot list’ destination for food and wine lovers.
Trevor, William and Patrick will work together to ensure the restaurant and winery work together to give guests a great experience.
Gary Surman also saying “there is an opportunity in the future to develop commercial accommodation at Wild Dog to complement and grow the tourism potential of the property.”
The restaurant and cellar door will remain open as usual in the lead up to the change of operators.
Wild Dog Vineyard is located three kilometres south of Warragul on Warragul-Korumburra Road. Phone 5623 2211.