Phil celebrates 20 years at Winslow

 Phil Nicolazzo has seen many changes at Winslow since his first day on the job as a labourer in March 2003.

“I was labouring, sweeping footpaths. That’s what I did on my first day (at Sanctuary Lakes),” Phil said.

He recently celebrated 20 years at Winslow Constructors and is now a Foreman at Manor Lakes in Melbourne’s west, but he hasn’t forgotten his roots.  “I was employee No.278,” he said proudly.

Asked who the standout people are from his time here, Phil singled out Mario Frappa.

“Mario was the foreman when I started, then he became the Area Supervisor and I stepped into his role as a foreman in 2007,” Phil said.

“I did all my learning with Mario. I was still working with him up until a couple of years ago.”

He has since gone on to work on projects at Point Cook, (Alamanda Estate and Snydes Road) for several years and the Geelong region.

“I was the first foreman in Geelong in 2010,” he said. “I spent 12 years in Geelong, Indented Heads, St Leonards – I’ve done a lot of work down the Bellarine Peninsula.”

To this day Phil still gets a kick out of turning vacant land into a housing estate.

“I like the fact that you start with a bare paddock and by the time you finish you see the end result with house, and think about what you had to do to bring it to that point,” he said.

“I love it. That’s why I’ve been doing it for 20 years, and hope to do it longer.”

So what would he tell someone thinking about joining Winslow?

“They’ve been a great company – family orientated – and that makes a difference,” he explained.

“We spend more time at work that at home – I get here at 5am in the morning and I pretty much don’t leave til 5pm every day, and they (Winslow) appreciate it.

“One thing about Winslow, when I started, (Managing Director) Dino (Strano) used to come out and see us on site, chat to us, shake your hand, ask how we are doing –  you don’t get too many directors doing that. 

“It makes a difference to see the director come out and shake your hands and ask if they can do anything to help you.”

Phil said Winslow has been good to him and he is going to retire here.

“I’m not going elsewhere,” he said. “I’ve spent this long with them and I will spend a little longer.

“I’m in no hurry to retire soon – I’m 58 and don’t feel like it.

“And to see where Winslow was back when I started to where it is now is a massive achievement.”

Congratulations on 20 years at Winslow, Phil.