Part of Community is getting to know people and share with them, as a close friend said to me just the other day “everyone has a story and people want to hear it”, well here’s mine:

About Me- Mat Linton
A native to Australia I was born in the Barossa Valley, good wine and a temperate climate. I can remember my experiences with community and most of those evolved around my grandparents who lived on our block for years, riding to/from school with friends and knowing everyone on the street. Granddad taught me how to plant and grow things, how to cut wood and how to use and sharpen tools…even put them away! It was enjoyable education in its rawest form, a passing of knowledge from one generation to the next. Both sides of my family were ‘green thumbs’ and it was inevitable that I would also be drawn to the land… but that was to take a while.

All Grinners!

Grow little Gravillea

My burning desire was to go to sea and more importantly, catch fish! Leaving high school as soon as I was able to do so I went straight to the Australian Maritime College… and a whole new ‘grown up’ world! A special thanks to Mum and Dad who not only encouraged me to pursue my goals but often helped me implement at their own financial and emotional detriment. Graduating with distinctions and top of my class after 3 years it was off to Western Australia where I would meet two of the most influential people in my life. Family aside, those we meet impact our journey to the extent we allow it. For me this was Graeme and Mick and I was a sponge;

Graeme at "Cape Leeuwin"

Graeme Pateman, one of the smartest people I know- if you were on “who wants to be a millionaire” then Graeme is definitely one of those on your “phone a friend” list. As the operator and owner of Bouvard Fisheries, he took this scaly back aboard and gave me the opportunity to grow in a positively reinforced environment. One of his comments, and principals, still resonates in me today “Never lose sight of the old when applying the new”. I believe everyone should experience primary industry and be exposed to the fundamentals required for survival. We operated in the remote zone- sail west and you’ll hit Africa, heading south and Antarctica is the next land fall, the great Southern Ocean. Some good ol’e “Patton” engineering kept things running on more than one occasion. Not long after joining the “FV Cape Leeuwin” I completed my Skippers ticket and became the youngest vessel Master in the West at 18 years of age.

Jeff Harrold, ‘Mick’ provided the mechanism for me to get into the marine construction side of things, a career path that has taken me around the world many times over and provided years of enjoyment. Mick’s “Just do it Mathew” attitude was out long before Nike caught onto the catch phrase and provided the inspiration required at just the right time to complete the task… whatever that may have been!! Mick opened more than the door to the industry, his family provided and continues to provide Love and support… you know the kind of people that you can call on a good day when you have something great to share, or a bad and are looking for an ear- just Love those Harrolds!
Marine construction provided an outlet for the adrenalin along with a passion to be on, or under, the water daily. This eventually led to offshore construction, an industry that I am still in today. During my career I have swung below helicopters building cable car towers, managed and operated a restaurant/nightclub in my spare time, established and directed a family run real estate company…yep- spare time to fill, and traveled, plenty of travel. As part of that travel I completed a stint in Houston early 2000’s where destiny would have me meet the mother of my two beautiful children. Caillin (5) was born in France and Britton (3) in Australia… it may have been the travel that finally had us parting ways and returning to countries of origin.

Throughout life I found in necessary to push the envelope- my loving parents and beautiful sister can attest this! When looking into lifestyle choices I was not content to ease my way into Veganism but went cold turkey one night on a flight across Australia, and after a period even being vegan wasn’t enough so I had a shot at fruitarian… then juices, lots and lots of juice. Travel made maintaining such a lifestyle a challenge and that couple with the rigors of working in the offshore industry made it nearly impossible at times… I was known for having my sprouting jar on the bridge wing and living on dehydrated veggies, sometimes for weeks at a time. Surprisingly every trip someone would ask about my food choices and try it for a while, some would go back to what they were doing and others changed a little- all went away influenced for having tried! My choices changed on occasion too; from the fromage and patisseries in France to the finest Australian seafood. While on a work assignment in Norway late last year I undertook an intensive juice fast and exercise regime (what else do you do in a Norwegian winter?) that I realized “I feel good” and I want to feel this good every single day!!

So now back in Texas, close to my children, I am drawn once more to the land as is inherent in me. Having taken many courses and classes in sustainable practices and alternative energy, both Stateside and in Australia over the years, coupled with a decade of construction and project management complimented by an equivalent time of ‘hands on’ work I find I am well positioned now to successfully carry out and establish the legacy that is to become Panther Canyon Cabins…and start repaying some of that ‘Karmic debt’ accrued over the years.

I look forward to hearing your story one day at Panther Canyon; A place for all to enjoy, to learn and to feel part of a “Community”