Bass Coast Shire Council Sports Ovals and Mowing Team Member, Koby Brann, has been nominated for 2021 Sports Turf Graduate of the Year, through the Sports Turf Association of Victoria.
Koby started his turf management journey by completing a VCAL program with Council in his final years of school, which turned into an apprenticeship from 2018.
"Through my love of sport, I developed an interest in the process of preparing and presenting sporting ovals, so that got me started in the industry," Koby said.
A big part of Koby's role is maintaining and preparing sports reserves for the local community to use and enjoy.
"Since completing my apprenticeship, I am more into the industry than the sport!" Koby said.
Koby is now a full-time member of the Sports Ovals and Mowing Team and said working with Council has been a really enjoyable experience.
"By completing my apprenticeship with Council, it has put me in really good shape for the future and I couldn't ask for anything else, really. It has really set me up well to continue working in the industry," Koby said.
"I have also made some great mates and I really enjoy coming to work, every day."
Koby said that in the future, he would like to travel to America to work on golf courses and different sporting fields, like baseball and gridiron. His ultimate dream though, is to become head curator at the MCG.
"Although, being head curator anywhere would be pretty good," Koby said.
While Koby was shocked to receive the email advising him of his nomination, Council's Team Leader Sports Ovals and Mowing Darren Green wasn't as surprised.
"Koby has worked really hard over the last three years and it is a real credit it to him that his school thinks highly enough of his work to nominate him," Darren said.
"He represents Council extremely well."
As part of his nomination, Koby will give a presentation to the Sports Turf Association of Victoria board during April. If he is declared the Victorian winner, Koby will participate in final judging for the 2021 Sports Turf Association National Graduate of the Year, being held on the Gold Coast in June.
