Meet the Brothers Building Careers in the Snow
How brothers Tom and Marty are shaping their futures through apprenticeships
From working on snow groomers to helping keep rescue vehicles ready for emergencies, an apprenticeship can open the door to a career in some pretty unique places. For brothers Tom and Marty, their apprenticeships and traineeships have helped them build careers while living and working in the snow at Falls Creek.
Originally from Adelaide, the brothers moved to Falls Creek four years ago looking for a change of lifestyle. They quickly fell in love with the snow village and decided to build their careers in the region.
Marty completed his heavy automotive apprenticeship at GOTAFE’s Wangaratta–Docker Street Campus in 2025, and now Tom is following in his footsteps, starting his own four-year apprenticeship.
Tom works with Falls Creek Ski Lifts, repairing and maintaining the heavy diesel equipment that keeps the mountain running. This includes the snow groomers used to shape the ski fields, as well as snow mobiles, or “ski doos”, used for mechanical and medical rescues.
While the work changes with the seasons, it’s always hands-on. During winter, Tom and the team respond to breakdowns and urgent repairs, while the warmer months are spent maintaining and rebuilding equipment for the next ski season.
Working in the snow brings its own challenges, from harsh weather to hydraulic and electrical issues, but it’s all part of the experience for the brothers as they build their skills on the job.
Both brothers credit their teachers, Dan Warner and Rod St Clare, with helping them develop their skills and confidence, making even complex processes easier to understand.
For Marty, completing his apprenticeship has already led to a career in the industry, while Tom is just beginning his own journey. Together, their stories show where an apprenticeship can take you, and how learning on the job can help turn your skills and interests into a career you love.