G’day Jacqueline. As co-owner of a very well known local craft beer brewery, many would say you have the dream occupation. How did this line of business come about for you?
Well… there was no local brewery and so when our good friend Michael Wolfe proposed to establish what was known then as the Castlemaine Brewing Company and he needed people who had some hospitality experience to come on board, we did that because we believed it was a gap in the local offering for the region.
How long ago was it that Michael Wolfe made that proposal?
He established the brewery in 2015 and opened The Taproom (venue) in 2016 and of course a hospitality offering is very different to a manufacturing offering and that’s where he needed help and he realised that running a hospitality offering such as the Taproom was not his strength.
So, for those who may not already know, what’s your role here at Shedshaker brewery now?
Michael was the founder and then Doug (Falconer) and I acquired the whole business in 2016, when The Taproom opened.
OK. And you haven’t looked back! But what was your own working background?
It’s been very diverse. I have marketing, events, hospitality, retail, legal. I’ve worked as a judge’s associate and a legal assistant.
That would be handy.
Yes. It is… and corporate, and I’ve worked in publishing and community development so I’ve had a very diverse background.
And what do you say when you get punters out there who say ‘oh you’re so lucky to own a craft beer brewery – that’s my dream job!’
My response is … keep dreaming! It’s very complex work. You’re a manufacturer, a hospitality venue, a supplier and we’re also salespeople who have to deliver our products as well. We’ve got logistical demands…There’s some real challenges. It’s not a dream job…
So how long have you lived in Castlemaine?
Twenty years.
Where are you from originally?
Western District. Camperdown . I grew up on a dairy farm.
Oh. A lovely area. Another thing you’re well known for now here in Castlemaine is your involvement with the Business Mount Alexander group. What’s your role there?
Yes. I am the treasurer. During COVID I came across some grants and funding to support traders’ associations, and secured some funds for Business Mount Alexander. And in return for my gesture they appointed me treasurer.
As they do! OK. Any other particular community involvements?
I am currently the chair of the Castlemaine Fringe Festival, and that’s a very exciting role because the Fringe is going through extraordinary times at the moment. It’s their 30th anniversary this year… Also, Doug and I are heading up an affordable housing initiative which is the Mount Alexander Community Land Limited. In these times of great stress around housing affordability we’re really keen to get people to get on board and support MACLL.
Fair enough. Is there anything that people may not realise about you Jacqueline?
Um, I was the Bunny Girl for the South Sydney Rabbitohs at a time when they had been kicked out of the competition and I helped fund-raise and sell merchandise to secure their position back in the NRL and I worked alongside Russell Crowe in that capacity.
Wow. That’s pretty exciting.
Yeh. I hate Rugby League.
OK then… onto a few of our other fun questions. What are you reading at the moment Jacqueline?The Labyrinth by Amanda Lohrey.What’s your musical genre or artists of preference?
I’m a huge fan of Bjork and the Sugarcubes.
OK. Three dream dinner guests?
Oh gosh… My mother, my son and my boyfriend (Doug).
Lovely. Any philosophies by which you like to lead life?
Ah… There’s plenty of time to rest when you’re dead. And I’m a big believer in karma. You know, what goes around comes around and if you give you get back…
Pet peeves?
Close-minded people.
What do you enjoy most about the place you call home?
At the moment it’s watching the wattle come into bloom. But I love the combination of the beautiful natural landscape and the extraordinary historic architecture. I love seeing our younger people come through and make their mark in the community. And I also really value the older folk. Those contrasts are really beautiful in this community.