Skatey...The life of Les Skate

Skatey
The Life of Les Skate
On the east side was the second building that we’d built for him away from the main
buildings. Storage. And a big concrete apron. When you dig down every two to three
metres, you’re supposed to put a lay back the same size. But on the other side he had his
grapes growing. He wouldn’t part with his grapes. I said,
‘Doc you know we could have a real disaster here.’
‘What would be the worst scenario?’ he asked.
‘Could cost you a hundred thousand at least to clean it all out, then you’ve got all that
extra back filling.’
But he wouldn’t budge. He wouldn’t part with his grapes. But when the council came to
inspect pre-building, they went back and told the powers-to-be what I was doing. Hadn’t
done the laybacks. So they sent two engineers out and I said to them,
‘Well, that’s what I think I’ve got to do, you tell me what you’d do.’
They went away and they never came back.
Then finally his winery was to be built. The big hole
in the ground. We couldn’t start till late October
because it was so wet. And he wanted it finished for
vintage by about Anzac Day, so boy did we have to
go! But we got it ready for him for when the first
But he wouldn’t budge. He
wouldn’t part with his grapes.
vintage grapes came in. The Yarra Yering winery was the first real job where I became quite
educated about building. And I think I got through it quite alright.
Dr Carrodus’ first vintage wines. 1973
The Yarra Yering winery was the first real job
where I became quite educated about building.
And I think I got through it quite alright.
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