By JOHN VAN KLAVEREN
Little did the then-16-year-old Matt Scharf know that dropping in at Mercer Street’s Moto Tech dealership to buy parts would lead to an award-winning career.
The teen got to know dealer principal Tim Fisher when he kept coming in to buy parts for motorcycles he was repairing for friends and family while still in high school.
Mr Fisher said he was amazed at Matt’s technical knowledge at such a young age.
After meeting with Matt’s parents, he offered Matt an apprenticeship with the team at Moto Tech.
Four years on, Matt completed his Gordon Institute apprenticeship in record time, along the journey taking out the Victorian Motorcycle Apprentice of the Year.
Matt is now in the running to take out the national Motorcycle Apprentice of the Year award, to be decided at a ceremony in Tasmania in March.
He was nominated by Gordon teacher Dallas Jones for the coveted award after completing a Certificate III in Automotive Mechanical Technology last year.
Among the honour of the award, the winner also takes home a motorcycle as part of an array of prizes.
Mr Fisher said Matt was one of the hardest working team members he has ever had.
“Matthew has never had a sick day, or a day off in four years, outside normal holidays, and has adapted to spare parts interpreter or to doing bike sales, if at times he has been required to do so.
“Matthew spends his time outside work either fixing up bikes and cars for himself and friends, or going bush on two or four wheels.
“He also embraces what it means to be Australian by doing jobs for his elderly family members and neighbours.
“If Matthew is a good example of today’s youth, I believe the future of Australia is in really good hands.”
