GRIST August conference in the Yarra Valley
On the first weekend in August, the GRIST team met in the stunning surrounds of the Yarra Valley. Our team are scattered across Australia and New Zealand, and our twice-annual conferences are our way to get everyone together to build connections and communicate strategy with all our people. Because of the pandemic-that-won’t-be-named, we’ve missed out on doing this face to face for quite some time, making this trip all the more special.
We stayed at Meletos, with rolling hills, orchard, vines and some unseasonably warm winter weather all working their magic immediately.
The very picturesque Yarra Valley
Our leadership team spent the first day running through what we’ve achieved; with plenty to celebrate, including new team members (welcome, Linda, Leigh and Sean!) and clients who’ve joined GRIST over the last year. We also set our strategy for the next 12-18months, with the whole team involved in discussion on how we’ll continue to improve our products and services for the projects we have ahead of us.
MD Peter Grist talking strategy
Enough work – on to dinner! No. 7 Healesville presented a delicious array of local produce, paired with a decent portion of local wine. A definite gastronomic highlight.
The GRIST team at No. 7 Healesville for dinner
The previous night’s wine consumption didn’t deter the GRIST team from a brisk team-building bush walk in the morning, and after a good dose of nature and muddy boots we continued our foody tour of Healesville, with a team lunch at Innocent Bystander, followed by more wine tasting. If there were one flavour that sums up the Yarra Valley (aside from the wine) it would be truffle – that earthy gem popped up everywhere!
Team building through the bush!
On our final night, we celebrated Director and Senior Consultant, Mike Dunn’s 20 years at GRIST – a huge achievement. Mike has had an enormous impact on our business and we all enjoyed recounting (with some roasting!) some uniquely Mike stories.
The GRIST team
It was a terrific team get-together, and we’re already looking forward to the next one ;)