THE colourful new high vis work shirts our Almond Centre for Excellence Experimental Orchard team are now wearing are designed to evoke a response from those around them that goes well beyond fashion advice . While our orchard manager Anthony “ Wocky ” Wachtel has already received some friendly ribbing from mates when they have spotted his new gear , the conversation that follows changes attitudes and may change lives . And that is exactly what the founders of TradeMutt range of work clothing are looking for . They are relying on the Wockys of the world to start a conversation that would not otherwise occur . Here is a rough and tough old almond grower putting himself out there with a pretty colourful work shirt . What are you doing Wocky , they ask ? Wocky wasn ’ t sure to say at first , but now understands that wearing the shirt comes with a opportunity . It is a conversation starter . As someone who was close to the late ABA industry development officer Phil Watters , he needs no educating on the value of the TradeMutt program . Like Wocky , the founders of TradeMutt , Daniel Allen and Ed Ross , were two young tradies who lost a close mate to suicide . They didn ’ t see it coming and in the grief that followed , started searching for answers and how they could possibly help others avoid the same scenario unfolding within their circle of friends and workmates . “ We are an Australian workwear brand that aims to make tradies and workers of all kinds look and feel great at work , and in doing so , reduce the rate of male suicide in Australia ,” Daniel says .
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industry . australianalmonds . com . au
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