What do you do for a living?
I've been a chef for over 30 years, I'm originally from Glasgow and Scotland. I started my apprenticeship in Perth, in WA in 1988.
How long have you lived in the area?
We moved to Wandi in 2015, but moved up from Melbourne in 2012 with my wife and two kids. We were part owners of 15 Steps on Barnard Street for five years. We had a good break from the industry before COVID hit and worked with Nightingales orchards, which was great. I just got back into it again in September last year. So far, so good, I'm really enjoying it.
What are your hobbies and interests?
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I like making electronic music in my spare time and going four–wheel driving as well in the woods, or going bushwalking and that sort of thing. Just being outdoors whenever I can.
What do you like about the area?
I love that we get four seasons – you really get a hot summer and generally a cold winter. I come from Scotland so I'm used to that climate. Also the people, they're really friendly. I love the change from being in Melbourne and I wanted to bring the girls up in a different environment.
Where would you take visitors to showcase the area?
Definitely Wandi for starters because there's always a lot of focus on Bright and some people don't see Wandi. It reminds me of Scotland a little bit too – such a beautiful spot. But also up to Mount Buffalo and the different areas, and up to Hotham, taking in all the surrounds.
Is there anything you would change about the area?
Hopefully they don't knock down those trees at the gateway on the way in and build that new estate. It'd be great if they didn't do that, but I guess that's going to happen. That'd be the one thing. There's not really much I would change, I'm quite happy. I know that things evolve, they don't always stay the same.
