The Butchers Advocate, September 2020
Brendan Bouchier’s Mortlake Butchers is a cornerstone of the local community in the small town of Mortlake, Victoria. All of Brendan’s customers have been shopping with him for years and he knows every one of them on a first name basis. He also supplies meat to both the local pubs, as well as the local corner store and distillery in the nearby town of Timboon.
Brendan prides himself on providing his customers with the highest quality products, which are all made on the premises. But what is he most passionate about? His smallgoods. Brendan makes all his own smallgoods using locally sourced beef, lamb and pork, and has won every single category in AMIC’s regional competitions at least once over the years.
A generous man, he supports numerous local charities, donating sausages to the local school for their sausage sizzle and meat trays for raffles. Like all independent local butchers, he is very involved in his community, as he says, he supports the customers that support him.
Brendan loves his job, but he also believes that a work-life balance is important. “Weekends are for the family” he says, so open hours are Monday-Friday and flexible on the weekend to allow him to spend time with his loved ones and occasionally go for short trips.
However, it will be awhile until he hangs up his apron for good, anticipating at least another decade of doors open. “I’ll reassess in 10 years”, but until then he plans to continue providing beautiful cuts of meat and quality service to his beloved community. When asked what advice he wants to pass on to those entering the industry, he says “Stay true to yourself, enjoy what you do, love your industry and it will love you back.”
