Bellarine boss keeps industry sharp

Hard work, determination and an unwavering love for her community has driven Lynsday Sharp into a business tycoon on the Bellarine.

For the past decade, Mrs Sharp has been the director of The Sharp Group and helped to guide the transformation of some of the Bellarine’s most dynamic and loved products.

As group director she is responsible for marketing, sales and hospitality at Jack Rabbit Vineyard, Flying Brick Cider Co, Leura Park Estate and Curlewis Golf Club.

With a particular focus on strategising local growth and forging strong community relationships, Mrs Sharp has watched the four venues gain incredible popularity and become star attractions on the Bellarine.

And her career success does not stop there, Mrs Sharp is a director of the Geelong Cats AFL club, former president of Wine Geelong and is the current Chair of the Geelong Arts Centre Task Force Foundation.

She has more than 35 years’ experience in the journalism, marketing and public relations industry.

“Both journalism and PR appealed to me from an early age, I loved writing and coming up with ideas,” she said.

“My career history embraced exactly that – corporate PR, journalism and consultancy. A turning point for me was being the publicist for the Melbourne Food & Wine Festival in its’ inaugural three years, 1993, 1994, 1995.

“It exposed me to dynamic operations and creative people doing incredible things they were passionate about.

“My background made it easy to revel in the concept of taking on our first venture, Leura Park Estate.

“Although it was a little bit daunting, it was ridiculously exciting.”

 

Mrs Sharp and her partner David bought Leura Park in 2007, with the goal of combining their love of wine with pristine hospitality.

“Leura Park totally ticked all the boxes for David and I – and from a commercial perspective, it’s potential – and that of the Bellarine – pretty much punched me in the face.

“We both love food and wine. We were looking for a business that would play to both our skill sets.

“David is an accountant by trade and comes from a Western District farming background so the thought of taking on a vineyard wasn’t daunting to him.

“Being on the Bellarine was, and remains, a no brainer.

“I’m not sure you could live in a better place with all it has to offer – wonderful coast, space, community, the list goes on.”

 

The success of the pair’s first wine and dine venture resulted in The Sharp Group expanding to include Jack Rabbit in 2010 and launching Flying Brick Cider Co to the market in the same year.

The Cider House opened in 2014, with Yes said the Seal and the Curlewis Golf Club following in quick succession.

“It’s literally been a case of organic, sometimes accidental, growth.

“We had always said if the site that is now Jack Rabbit ever became available, we would mortgage our souls to get it.

“2010 also saw an inkling of a cider renaissance so we decided to experiment with crafting our own and it went on from there.

“There was a lot of luck involved, hitting the market at the right time, being the first in the region to offer an all-natural cider.

“Happily, it was received well so after a couple of years, we decided Flying Brick deserved its own home. As a result, the cider house was designed, built and born.

“Additionally, the last thing on our minds was to take on a golf club, but rumours about the club’s dire financial state were rampant – you could pretty much see the property sharks circling.

“Leura Park had been the wine partner for years and for reasons still a little bewildering to this day, one Monday morning I dropped over to the golf club to see if we could do anything.

“We were both in shock when we were advised of the decision made by member majority vote at an extraordinary meeting in July 2015.

“I had already written the ‘gracious in defeat’ statement.

“After getting over the shock, we embarked on what continues to be an exciting journey.”

 

Mrs Sharp said she has seen the Bellarine go from strength to strength over her tenure and hopes more accommodations options can be built on the Bellarine to enhance regional growth.

“I love the fact that more and more talented people and now calling it home, creating new artisan enterprises and contributing to the ongoing evolution of this pocket rocket of a region.

“There’s still a distinct shortage of accommodation which is hampering extended stays and subsequent economic injection into the region but it’s getting there.

“Transport to and from the region is getting better all the time – and we are very much blessed with the Port Phillip Ferries, that’s been a game changer for all things Bellarine.”

In terms of her own personal bucket list, Mrs Sharp said she’s very much looking forward to a holiday in the sun.

“Personally, I wouldn’t mind a holiday in the sun right now – anywhere with sun and sea and I’m happy.

“For the Sharp Group, it’s a case of consolidating and reinventing all the time.

“You can never sit still in this industry, you always need to look at how to innovate, what you can do better and how to ensure the patron experience is the best it can possibly be.”

For more on The Sharp Group, head to www.thesharpgroup.com.au/