HH Insider – Joe Grech

Joe Grech came to Human Habitats replete with a man-bun and a truck load of confidence. Little remains of the man-bun, but while JoeyG still retains the confidence and good looks of his younger days, his more honed commercial edge and technical prowess are evident in all his projects. With Melbourne slowly awakening in the late October spring, we sat down with Joe in Edinburgh Gardens with a sparkling mineral water in hand, to reminisce about working from home, hilarious mask jokes and claustrophobia amongst other topics.

Can you give us a little background as to your beginnings? What was your first ever job?
My first every proper job (where I paid tax) was as a cellar hand at Victorian Alps Winery in Gapstead. I worked there at the start of my GAP year during vintage. So if anyone has a bottle of their 2010 wines in their cellar – I probably played a part in making it.

And your first non-tax paying job?
First non-tax paying job was working in a chicken shop, as in one that sold uncooked chickens, not cooked chickens. I worked 2 hours on a Friday night after school, cleaning meat trays. Each week after school I got a 45 minute bus there, got paid about $15 and then my dad would pick me up and spend about $20 on chicken before driving me home. Mum and dad joked that they would be better off paying me not to go work and after a few months I got another job in a catering company.

How did you start your career as a Town Planner?
Can we say urban planner? It makes me feel a bit more bougie… I started my illustrious urban planning career at Urban Edge Consultants. I was lucky enough to get a job working a few days a week while I completed my Masters. I learnt heaps working under Peter, he has a great eye for detail. I worked as a planner for Urban Edge for a couple of years before taking a year off to travel.

What first drew you to private consultancy and what do you enjoy most about private sector planning?
I was just keen to get my foot in the door and getting a start at a private consultancy meant that I didn’t necessarily need to go through a formal interview process, where I would have to try and make out that I knew what planning was. What I most like about private consultancy is that you get to be part of the team that creates tangible change.

Favourite project?
I worked on a single dwelling application in Fitzroy a few years ago, it was the first project that I’d worked on that was near where I lived. It was a contemporary 3 storey terrace house that I thought was pretty cool and was excited that in the future I’d be able to walk by it every now and then and know that “I did that”, or at least helped it get approved. This was a few years ago and it’s still a vacant lot. Onwards and upwards!

What’s been one of your best achievements over the last year?
Getting married to Em, not so much an achievement but it’s the thing that makes me the proudest. Or should this be less personal?

You’re a personable man Joe. How about giving us your greatest life achievement to date, or is it the same as the above?
Tough one… can it be the same as above – or maybe it’s breaking my arm while falling out of a boat, that’s pretty impressive.

Favourite Album….ever…
I think this is an impossible question, so I’ll give you two of my favs, Neil Finn “Seven Worlds Collide”, which is a live album with heaps of guest appearances and Bon Iver “For Emma, Forever Ago”.

Favourite building in Melbourne?
The triangle building with the monkey mural on it opposite Fitzroy North Bowls Club. Triangular shaped buildings are obviously really impractical but they just look great.

Dogs or cats?
Dogs, and specifically my COVID puppy Freddie, she’s a very cute schnoodle.

Dream holiday destination post-COVID?
Denali National Park. I’ve now attempted to go 3 times. Once I wasn’t allowed in to the US (only temporarily – it’s resolved now), the second time I was too poor (time and money) and the third was this year when we were meant to honeymoon there but had to postpone for obvious COVID reasons.

Last stamp in your passport?
LAX after a 12 month stint in Canada & the US.

What superpower would you choose if you could?
Teleport, I’m not sure it’s a superpower but it would just be super handy. It’d cut down the commute (which is obviously not particularly onerous at the moment) and make travel super easy.

Favourite open space in Melbourne?
Coincidentally its Edinburgh Gardens – I don’t think there’s anywhere or anything more Melbourne than having beers in Edi Gardens during summer.

Last one Joe for the fans… Beach or Snow?
I would have always said beach but over the last few years I’m probably leaning towards snow. I’m really keen to get back to Japan for a ski… and eat ramen.

Thanks for catching up and sharing Joe!