“For those first nine months, I had a great group of English friends,” he says. “Then I left. I drove across Australia and did a six-week road trip. It was a really fun trip. It was really exciting to see how big Australia is because it’s amazing. Obviously I’m from a very small island in comparison.
“I got to Victoria and went skiing. I worked for six or eight weeks at a mountain resort, but I really missed the vineyards and the farming. I was more fascinated by wine and grapes and farms than I was by hospitality at that point.
“After giving my notice of resignation at the ski resort, I returned to Margaret River just over 72 hours later, got a job on the vineyard, and was back on the tractor within 36 hours of landing.”
Declan has found the perfect way to combine his new love of vineyards with his experience in hospitality and has set up the cellar door for the new LS Merchants artisan winery in Margaret River.
“I really relate to their lack of pretense,” he says. “I keep talking about the lack of big companies, the lack of big businesses here in Margaret River. To me, LS Merchants isn’t trying to be expensive products. It’s all about a really good product, made by good people.”
After six years in Margaret River, Declan has found what he hopes will be his permanent home. Given his specialist skills acquired globally, Declan has been deemed eligible to apply for a Regional Skilled Worker Visa, specialising in the tourism industry, with LS Merchants.
“I want Western Australia to be my home,” he says. “I love it. There’s potential for growth. Western Australia is great. It’s not that I don’t want to travel more, but I want it to be my permanent home. I can’t see that changing at any point.”
“Everything is so beautiful. There are so many opportunities to spend time outside. The weather is usually good. Margaret River is unique.” As for his advice to others looking to make Western Australia their home, Declan quips, “Don’t come, you won’t be allowed, because I don’t want to ruin this hidden gem.”
Hero photo: Ryan Murphy courtesy of margaretriver.com.
