Mangoes provide sweet job for Defence partners in Katherine

Landing a job in the Mango industry provided Tsai Chiao with a stable employment when her partner was posted to Tindall RAAF Base in the Katherine region. Here’s her story…

I moved to Katherine with my partner around 2 years ago, for his job at Tindal RAAF Base. I really wanted to get a job straight away and I applied for a lemon harvest job online with a local farm. I was hired immediately although I had never lived in the countryside or worked on farm!

Working during the harvest seasons is really convenient for me. I have 5 months off in between seasons, where I work in my own business, sewing heavy duty covers for horses.

I am now working on the mango harvest in the packing shed 8 hours a day from Monday to Friday, harvesting the sweetest mangoes. This work during the lemon, mango and citrus harvest seasons has given me the opportunity to develop my skills and be an asset for the farming businesses. My managers provide opportunities to develop and demonstrate my skills. I now supervise the quality control team and teach others how to grade and pack the produce.  Although it is busy and hot, the packing work is very good and everyone is friendly and helpful.

I can see myself working happily in the NT horticulture industry into the future and I recommend farm work to anyone looking for a sweet job in the NT.

Register your interest for a sweet mango picking or packing  job by clicking here