RETIRED Inverell Shire Council employee John Steiger was honoured at last month’s council meeting after clocking up near half a century with the shire.
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John was employed with the Shire Council as a plant operator for nearly 30 years of his 46 year career with the organisation and is now trying to make the bets of his retirement.
He started his career with council as a labourer in the late 60’s and said in those days he had done it tough. Accepting the traditional gold watch at last month’s council meeting, John recalled his first taste of Shire work.
“I remember when I was at Delungra and we went out to clean out pipe and it was that sticky with mud you had a job to get it on the shovel and then you had a job to get it off and I thought, this is working for the Shire,”
“It was pretty hard going. I wasn’t sure if it was the job for me.” John said, reflecting on his career last week.
“I had a few jobs before that, but I’m glad I stuck with it.”
Now retried, John said he won’t be slowing down any time soon and said he will miss working with the community and his friends on the job.
Inverell Mayor Paul Harmon led councillors in lauding John’s career achievements.
“There are times when we are all too quick to pass judgement on our employees and certainly we wish to thank you for your continuous service and commitment to this organisation,” he said during last month’s meeting.
John said he has not been too hasty to make plans for his retirement, but said he is looking forward to visiting his family after a long career.