Nation Wine Centre of Australia University of South Australia


Employee Spotlight: Tomy George

Wednesday 18 September, 2019

The National Wine Centre has no shortage of impressive employees but if you have ever held a conference or event at the Centre, you have no doubt heard the name Tomy George.

Tomy George has been with the National Wine Centre for 14 years and is a respected mentor to his team. Well-known for his “concierge-style” hospitality, he has formed many long lasting client relationships during his time at the National Wine Centre. In his role as the Service Manager, Tomy oversees the Centre’s daily operations and goes above and beyond to ensure the rooms are beautifully presented, events run smoothly and that all guests to the Centre leave with a memorable and positive experience. 

We chat to Tomy about his role at the National Wine Centre:

I take a walk around the Centre and make sure everything looks neat and tidy and that the rooms are presentable and set up for the day. I check the day’s schedule and read through the handover from the last Supervisor, then chat to my team to ensure they are prepared for the day.

What’s the most rewarding part of your job?
Positive post function feedback is always rewarding. It makes all the planning and behind the scenes teamwork worth it when you know you’ve left a good impression.

What’s the most challenging part of your job?
Large Conferences with many exhibitors are always a bit of a challenge. Each exhibitor has individual requirements and requests and we need to ensure that they all have the space they need, power and equipment and that everyone is being equally looked after.

What’s the biggest change you have seen over the time you have worked at the Centre? 
The greatest and most exciting progress has been seeing the National Wine Centre become a recognized name and a popular place to hold functions, events and weddings. We have come so far in the time since opening and have begun to be recognized on a State and National level after receiving Restaurant and Catering Awards over the past few years. The Enomatic Wine Dispensers have also been a huge game changer, the Centre offers the largest tasting experience in the country which is a huge draw card for tourists and locals alike.

What’s the best thing you’ve learned on the job?
The ability to communicate and work with people from all different cultures and backgrounds. You are always meeting new people from all walks of life in this job and being able to adapt and communicate effectively is a real advantage. It’s easier to get the job done in a positive and happy environment.

What do you enjoy doing when you aren’t at work?
In my spare time I love listening to music, jogging and going for leisurely walks.