Falls Creek Alpine Resort is a medium-sized organisation that employs over 100 people during their peak Winter season, with a year-round, full-time team of 38.
The organisation began in 1946 and has seen many changes over the last 70 years, most recently amalgamating with other Victorian Alpine resorts to become a part of Alpine Resorts Victoria.
Falls Creek Alpine Resort’s primary function is to promote, develop, and attract investment into the resort. There are 140 businesses within Falls Creek, with approximately 2000 employees working across the businesses.
There are two leading economies in Falls Creek – Summer and Winter, with Winter being the peak season. They receive about 700,000 visitors a year, with the two economic seasons, Winter and Summer, bringing in a different clientele and adventure.
In short succession, Falls Creek Alpine Resort lost both its People & Culture Manager, and EA/HR Administrator. Due to the remote location, finding the right candidates who are in the region or are willing to relocate is a difficult task
On the cusp of a winter season and looking at the first uninterrupted season since COVID-19 struck two years prior, Falls Creek Alpine Resort was facing the prospect of commencing this important season, with no People & Culture support.
Typically, a winter season will see the resort recruit and onboard up to 70 winter season casual staff across all areas of the organisation, from Visitor Information to Ski Patrol and Snow Services, this is a large undertaking each year by the People & Culture team.
Couple this with the Alpine Resorts Victoria amalgamation happening in the background, and you cannot afford to not have People + Culture support.
Using us as their HR team, we could use our local knowledge of the region to target our campaigns to attract suitable candidates and sell the resort. The resort had already used different Melbourne-based recruitment agencies before with little results. “We struggled to find people in the region or interested in the region. We went with a direct HR specialist who knows the region well, and it was as simple as that.”
The resort decided to take our HR Business Partner, Ashly, on secondment to fill that missing gap within the organisation with the big body of work pending as the Winter Season loomed. Ashly took on this position and has acted as the People + Culture Manager whilst actively recruiting for a replacement People + Culture team.
We managed to successfully get Falls Creek Alpine Resort through a record winter season and ease their HR headaches. Ashly worked from Falls Creek two days per week during the height of their needs, even staying on the mountain at times when the need arose. He adapted to their processes and used their systems to ensure that when he handed off his HR duties to the new team members, they could use the systems and processes already in place.
We found great candidates for them and gave honest advice about what they needed to do to keep their team members.
While we work to find permanent replacements, Falls Creek Alpine Resort are comfortable in the knowledge that we are getting the People + Culture service they need until such time as the right candidate comes along. They are not forced into hiring a candidate that may not be the right option simply because they did not have any HR support at the time.
“Ash has been outstanding with his guidance of our staff and the management of the process. He’s a phenomenal communicator, and he’s diligent and very considerate in the way in which he has dealt with our staff. Obviously, not having an established relationship with our staff, I think the staff members have appreciated his candour and the support he’s provided. I couldn’t speak more highly of Ash.”
Stuart Smythe, CEO – Falls Creek Resort Management
Falls Creek Resort Management
Falls Creek, Victoria
Government
35-100 employees
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Amelie is our Marketing Lead and currently studying for a B.A. in Business and Visual Arts. She brings her visual arts skills and eye for colour and detail to our graphics and design for the business.
Amelie uses her skills as a digital native in our Marketing team and works across our social media channels. Amelie provides administrative support and assists the recruitment team in finding great candidates.
Sarah joins the team at Total HRM following her time in a regional real estate company, most recently in HR. She brings a solid understanding of the unique dynamics and challenges within small and medium-sized businesses.
Prior to real estate, Sarah worked in the airline industry, providing her with excellent skills in customer service and how to remain calm in a crisis.
Known for her positive energy, Sarah approaches her role with enthusiasm and a genuine desire to support and uplift those she works with. With her experience in HR and recruitment, Sarah is committed to fostering a culture of inclusivity, professional growth, and employee well-being. Her ability to connect with people and create a positive work atmosphere contributes to the overall success of teams and the business as a whole.
Ashly is one of our most experienced HR Business Partners with over 20 years of experience in manufacturing and hospitality, both local and overseas, ranging from large multinational companies to small family-owned operations. Throughout his career, Ashly regularly led teams with over 30 employees while continually growing the business and aligning business strategies with employee capabilities.
Ashly has qualifications in Applied Management and Human Resources and a strong leadership and people management background. Ashly combines his experience with his qualifications to develop great workplace cultures while delivering practical support.
As our Business Services Manager, David keeps everything that is Total HRM ticking along – from overseeing administration and finance functions, liaising with clients and suppliers, to IT troubleshooting and keeping everyone on track to deliver effective customer service to all our clients.
In a business landscape of ‘information overload’, Kim’s pragmatic approach simplifies the ever-changing HR trends and legislation to obtain meaningful and maximum benefits for her clients.
Kim is well known for her ability to understand the ‘real’ issues within businesses and to provide solutions for sustained business growth.
Kim has over 20 years of experience in human resources and 15 years of business consulting experience, and she holds post-graduate Business and Human Resource qualifications.
She has vast and varied experience in senior consulting roles across varying disciplines and HR management positions within retail, manufacturing and professional service sectors.
Linda is the Managing Director of Total HRM and has worked for over twenty five years in business and consulting, including executive and senior management roles. She has worked here and overseas in numerous industries, including mining, energy and government. Her experience in areas such as production, strategic planning, finance, OHS/WHS, and lecturing in Human Resources Management at La Trobe University provides her with a unique blend of business and HR capability.
Linda has led comprehensive organisational restructures and implemented programs to improve the effectiveness of businesses with clear alignment between individuals’ contributions and organisational outcomes. She works with various local boards and executive teams in the region. She is a Certified Professional Member of the Australian Human Resources Institute.
