At Durban Landscaping & Garden Maintenance, it’s the people behind the machines, mowers, and early morning starts that truly make the business what it is. So we thought it was time to properly introduce some of the faces behind the green shirts — starting with one of our own legends, Mato Bosnjak.
Gina recently sat down with Mato for a chat about life on site, boxing, possums, overgrown weeds, and why grounds maintenance is definitely not “just mowing lawns.”
And safe to say… he delivered.
👋 Meet Mato
Mato has been part of the Durban grounds maintenance crew for almost three years, although landscaping wasn’t exactly part of the original plan.
“I kind of just fell into it,” Mato explained. “I was supposed to join the landscaping team at a previous company but ended up in maintenance instead.”
Lucky for us, he stayed.
When he’s not transforming sites across Melbourne, Mato starts most mornings with a long black coffee, spends his evenings at the boxing gym, and proudly admits he’s “secretly a bit of a wrestling nerd.” Honestly, iconic behaviour.
Life on the Tools
Like most of the Durban crew, no two days look the same for Mato.
His typical day?
A 5am wake-up, a full shift on site, and then straight to boxing training before heading home for dinner. Busy is an understatement.
When asked about his favourite type of work, Mato didn’t hesitate:
“Definitely clean-ups. Even though they get the better of you at times, once you get it done, it’s very rewarding.”
And one clean-up in particular stands out — the transformation project at Halcyon Logan in Queensland alongside Nathan.
“It went on for days and involved mulching, hedging, and uplifting. We really transformed the place and raised the bar when it came to standards.”
The Tough Stuff
Grounds maintenance might look easy from the outside… but Mato says otherwise.
The toughest job he’s tackled so far?
“The first site clean-up at Avis. Overgrown weeds, uplifting, cleaning gutters… it was a real tough one.”
And for anyone who thinks this industry is “just mowing lawns”?
Mato’s message is simple:
“Please think again. It’s about hedging, uplifting trees, weed management, and developing client relationships.”
Couldn’t have said it better ourselves.
The Stories You Can’t Make Up
Every grounds maintenance operator has stories — and Mato has a few classics.
Like the time he was removing ivy from the side of a building when a possum launched itself terrifyingly close to his head.
“Can confirm there were screams.”
Apparently, if you ask the rest of the crew, that moment also wins the award for funniest thing ever witnessed on site.
He also revealed that if tools could talk, his hedger would probably beg him to stop using it so much.
Fair call, honestly.
Mato’s Top Gardening Advice
Mato’s biggest landscaping tip?
“Don’t skimp on fertiliser or soil enhancers.”
And one thing people need to stop doing immediately?
“Weed matting. It rarely works and it suffocates your soil.”
Direct. Honest. Passionate. Very Mato.
The Durban Culture
When asked what he enjoys most about Durban, Mato’s answer reflected exactly the kind of culture we aim to build.
“The support and transparency you can have with your boss through open communication. Whether it’s work or personal, it helps everyone understand each other and stay on the same page.”
He also described the Durban vibe as:
“A team that’s supportive when we reach out to one another — especially if we’re uncertain about things.”
That support, teamwork, and willingness to learn are a huge part of what makes Durban what it is.
And according to Mato, the ideal Durban team member is:
“Someone with a can-do attitude, hardworking, willing to learn, owns their mistakes, but is also happy to take the wins.”
Looking Ahead
After spending 13 years in liquor retail before making a complete career change, Mato says joining grounds maintenance was one of the best decisions he’s made.
“I haven’t looked back and I’m happier than ever.”
And the future?
“I still see myself within the company, taking on larger roles as Durban grows.”
We’ll hold him to that!
Final Question…
Describe your job in three words:
"Rewarding. Challenging. Problem-solving."
Sounds about right.
At Durban, we’re proud of the people behind the work — the personalities, the stories, the skills, and the laughs that make up our team every day.
Because behind every great site is an even greater crew.
Until next time — keep growing, keep laughing, and keep meeting the faces behind Durban.