In celebration of their 10th anniversary, boutique Hunter Valley wine producer Gundog Estate has formed a partnership with Newcastle not-for-profit Path 2 Change to help local homeless young people create sustainable futures.
The strategic partnership will stretch across a number of projects, from work experience programs at Gundog Estate and mentorships for local youth at risk of or experiencing homelessness through to joint development of social enterprise concepts.
Gundog Estate Winemaker, Matt Burton said the business wanted to do more for the local community.
“As owners of a small business you travel a challenging personal journey and then suddenly you reach a point where you realise how privileged you are. Once you realise that, it becomes a really obvious path to find a way to give back to the community,” Matt said.
“To mark 10 years of success with Gundog, I wanted to do something more. I wanted to put a greater emphasis on our role within the local community and step into a leadership position.”
Matt launched Gundog Estate’s first vintage as a 26-year-old in 2008 and established the Hunter Valley cellar door in 2011. Under Matt’s management and winemaking, Gundog Estate has consistently been awarded a 5-Star winery rating from Australia’s leading wine critic, James Halliday.
Path 2 Change Executive Manager, Jennifer O’Sullivan commended Gundog Estate’s decision to look for a partnership that has the potential to stop homelessness before it takes hold in a young person’s life.
“It is inspiring that Matt and his team are leading the way by taking up the challenge of responding to homelessness at a community level by investing in our youth to create life changing opportunities,” Jennifer said.
Path 2 Change is a not-for-profit organisation established over 35 years ago. They are committed to reducing and preventing homelessness and supporting those at risk of or experiencing homelessness, to overcome barriers towards a sustainable future. Working to address the underlying causes and not the symptoms, Path 2 Change offers individualised support and case management, aimed to assist each person to rise to their full potential.
“We’re excited by the way that Path 2 Change is involved at the grassroots level in the local area. We were looking for a charitable partner where we had an alignment and connection between ourselves, the organisation and those they are helping,” Matt said.
Fundraising for the Path 2 Change partnership kicked off at recent Gundog member events and feedback on the partnership has been extremely positive.
“Not that our members needed another excuse to enjoy Gundog wines, but helping disadvantaged youth makes every drop extra special,” Matt said.
IMAGE | Gundog Estate Winemaker, Matt Burton.
