With so many diverse and interesting roles across Morris Group, there’s always bound to be some surprising tales to tell. We caught up with a few colleagues whose jobs are far from ordinary, to find out more about what their workday involves.
Chantelle Hughes
Pilot – HeliFish
Morris Aviation
My role as a HeliFish pilot involves flying customers to some of the Top End’s most remote and pristine fishing destinations, hoping they can land an elusive metre-long barramundi. When I’m not out fishing, you can find me showing off the Northern Territory’s many waterfalls and escarpments, anywhere from Litchfield to Kakadu. I also take passengers on the classic HeliFish pub crawls.
This is my first full-time role in aviation since obtaining my commercial pilot license. I saw the ad for this role and knew it suited me down to the ground. I am a mad keen angler, so what better way to kick start my career in aviation by combining them both!
My workday usually starts at the hanger a couple of hours before my scheduled departure time. I do my daily inspection on the aircraft, and the fuel bowser before I start to pack the helicopter with the gear that I need for the day, check the weather and do a flight plan. Once the passengers are checked in and briefed, we head off to our first fishing spot, and I’ll point out some interesting sights along the way. If we’re lucky, I can spot a wild croc or water buffalo. We fish for most of the day before heading back, hopefully with some cool stories to tell – sometimes about the ‘one that got away’.
To be good at this job, you need to have a passion for sports-fishing and a unique ability to be able to read your clients so that they can have the best possible experience. We deal with customers from all backgrounds and fishing abilities, so you must be conscious of this and tailor your skills to meet their needs. I find it very rewarding being a part of creating memories that will last a lifetime. You can’t describe the smile on a customer’s face when they land their first barra or being part of a romantic proposal.
Flying in the territory has taught me some invaluable lessons in aviation and critical decision-making. No two days are the same especially when it comes to the weather. Storms can develop rapidly and become quite fierce, so you need to think on your feet and have a backup option to ensure the safety and comfort of both yourself, and your passengers.
Rebekah Sayle
Second Stewardess – M.Y. Northern Escape
Morris Nautical
My role as second stewardess is a key part of the team ensuring high end service, guest interactions, and interior maintenance during charters.
When we’re off-charter, I help with general maintenance of the vessel’s interior and often cook for the crew. On-charter I spend a full 14 hours a day attending to guests’ needs, serving meals, bar service, as well as housekeeping and laundry.
Being able to travel and see more of the world was a very appealing element to the job. I also enjoy the day-to-day challenges of this line of work which can be very rewarding. One of the most interesting elements of this line of work is the guests. They’re often quite interesting people: sometimes international and well-known.
As a crew, we have many stories from previous trips in the Mediterranean from party groups to large families. My favourite memory would have to be watching the Grand Prix in Monaco while working. This was a trip for Chris which our crew always adore over any other. It was a truly wonderful experience.
I suppose the hardest part is working long hours while maintaining a warm and friendly persona to everyone on board. The best way to combat this is by having an understanding that all your crew are in the same position, so we push through together as a team.
I think, to be a good stewardess you need to be outstanding in all aspects of the work: from knowledge of wine and cuisine, to knowing how to treat stains on plush materials. You need exceptional attention to detail and have to prioritise tasks to be a successful interior team.
Asher Cohen
Farm and Property Manager
CBCo Brewery, Margaret River
My role at CBCO Brewing’s Margaret River venue is the Farm and Property Manager. Basically, I look after the venue maintenance, the livestock and farm, and the general grounds and gardens. The job is varied and my day-to-day work changes each day.
Before this role, I finished my chef’s apprenticeship and worked in kitchens for around 15 years. I then jumped ship to work on boats. I started as deckhand and ended up in an engineer’s role, looking after all mechanical systems and maintenance on a 42m superyacht. More recently we bought a rundown farm and entered the farming world. I’ve been working on local farms gaining knowledge in the farming industry, whilst trying to set our own farm up.
I love the outdoors and working with livestock. This role appealed to me as my love of food and farming come together, being able to deliver quality produce, and see the end result in great food coming out of the kitchen for our guests.
My day usually starts around 6.30am for my livestock checks and feeding. Then I jump on the mower or there is usually something that needs fixing or sorting around the venue. My workday is unpredictable. It can be a pretty cruisy job until it isn’t! Stuff breaks or goes wrong usually at the worst possible time, when you are already busy or right as the doors for service open. If something is going to fail, it will usually do it on a hectic day, when it’s bucketing down with rain, or just as you’re about to knock off for the day.
You really need to be flexible, physically as well as mentally. My to-do list changes several times a day and a lot of the time the things on the list are totally different from the list I started with at the start of the day.