Staff story - Mat Sharp

“I grew up in housing that was the grounds of a psychiatric institution,” Mat recalls.

“My father was a foreman at Lakeside Mental Hospital in Ballarat. I used to tag along with him on callouts, sometimes just to fix a tap washer. As a little boy, I’d observe him or help, and I just kept doing it.”

Those early experiences laid the foundation for a lifelong passion for trades. While Mat initially thought he’d follow in his father’s footsteps as a plumber, an uncle offered him an apprenticeship in metal fabrication, a path that turned out to be more technical and creatively challenging than he expected.

“There was a lot of welding and fabrication and machining – more than just pipes and fittings. I kept working in the field and alongside plumbers. I had the knowledge from my father and uncles, even if it wasn’t on paper.”

That hands-on, well-rounded approach to trades eventually led Mat to start his own business. For over a decade, he contracted with Rijk Zwaan, working on everything from pollination equipment to nursery systems. When the opportunity arose to join the company full-time as the Facilities Coordinator, he didn’t hesitate.

Today, Mat oversees a team of three, managing two sites at Daylesford and Bacchus Marsh. His role is as diverse as it is demanding.

“As Facilities Coordinator, you’re responsible for everything – from keeping the grounds neat and tidy to making sure the building and all its equipment are running smoothly,” he explains.

“If something breaks, we fix it – or bring someone in who can.”

Mat with colleague and friend, Jurgen.

That “something” could be anything: vehicles, seed-cleaning machines, laboratory equipment, or the heating and ventilation systems that regulate the climate in the greenhouses.

Among his crew is Jayden, who was a shed builder, as well as a fitter and turner, Jim, who has a remarkable past – he once built cannons for battleships.

“It’s a pretty varied skill set,” Mat says proudly. “We’ve got a lot of experience between us, and that makes a big difference when you’re managing two large sites with hundreds of moving parts.”

But Mat’s vision for the team goes beyond technical expertise. He’s passionate about diversity and inclusion in trades, especially when it comes to encouraging more women into the field.

“I’m really pleased that we have a number of women working in the horticultural trades on our farms,” he says.

“You see a lot of women working as electricians now, and even as traffic controllers. I went to school with two of the first girls to ever do a trade in metalwork in Ballarat. That’s really stuck with me.”

The culture at Rijk Zwaan is another reason Mat loves his job.

“This is actually the first time I’ve had long service leave,” he says with a grin. “It’s different here. There’s a degree of flexibility and people are encouraged to have a go.”

It makes sense that Mat sees his role as more than just fixing things, it’s about relationships. His notebook is filled with trusted contractors and contacts built over decades in the industry.

“We fix what we can,” he says. “But when it’s out of our lane, we call in the right people. That’s where those relationships come in. I can pick up the phone and say, ‘Hey, where can I get this part?’ or ‘Who’s the best person for this job?’ That network is gold.”

Mat is personable, practical, and not afraid to give something a crack. It’s a mindset that has shaped his career and his life. He has worked in industrial laundries and confectionery factories, chemical plants and food processing giants. At one point, he even worked part-time as an undertaker.

“I was playing basketball with the manager of a funeral home, and he was looking for people to do after hours work,” he recalls.

For Mat, it was also a window into a part of life most people never see.

“In other cultures, families prepare the body. Here, it’s all hidden, curtains drawn, underground tunnels in hospitals. It’s a different philosophy. I used to lie in bed thinking about the things I saw. It was sobering.”

Outside of work, Mat is just as dynamic. He’s an avid mountain biker and road cyclist, often riding with colleagues through the Wombat Forest in Daylesford or out to the Blackwood Hotel for lunch – a short 30km from Daylesford. He’s also returning to a long-time passion: Taekwondo.

“I originally got into Taekwondo when I was 12. I’ve had a bit of a break, but I’m getting back into it,” he says.

“I’m a black belt, fourth dan. There are nine dans (degrees), and it takes years between each one. I like the discipline. Taekwondo is not about violence. It’s about understanding yourself.”

Mat taught Taekwondo for over a decade, leading advanced black belt classes in Ballarat and mentoring juniors.

“We had doctors, lawyers, surgeons training with us. It’s a safe space with padded floors, protective gear, no head contact unless agreed. It’s about control, not combat.”

While Mat is known for his practical jokes and casual nature, he’s a little different when he puts on his Taekwondo uniform.

“Anyone watching me practice Taekwondo would probably see a different side of me!” he says with a laugh.

With many different hats, and over a hundred jobs on his list at any given time, Mat’s days are full. Whether he’s fixing a greenhouse vent, practicing high kicks, or out for a leisurely 60km bike ride, Mat brings the same down-to-earth attitude and can-do approach to everything he takes on.