Hornsby Shire’s Subdivision Inspections Engineer John Bryson has reached the amazing milestone of celebrating his 80th birthday while still working full time. John has worked with Hornsby for 32 years and is well respected by his colleagues and customers alike.
He started his Local Government career at the then Richmond North West Council in Queensland in 1949. He then spent nine years in the Army including service in the Korean War before returning to Local Government in 1959 as an engineer.
John then went on to pursue his passion in motor racing by spending ten years as a motoring journalist and in 1961 started his professional rally driving career.
Even though John loved cars, he is also passionate about his work.
“Cars are for transport and fun but at Council I get a chance to build things for the future and I like to be able to do my best to make sure someone gets quality when I supervise works in Hornsby Shire,” John Bryson said.
Shortly after commencing with Hornsby Council, John and his family moved to a property at Dural where he started another project. The family built a 480 square metre home of sandstone, which they quarried on the property – which probably explains why Council’s octogenarian is so fit!
John’s colleagues at Hornsby Council arranged a surprise party to celebrate his birthday.
When someone pointed out that John had been wearing the same Council tie for 30 years, General Manager Robert Ball presented him with an executive tie. Asked whether he has any plans to retire, John answered with a smile, “I’ll retire when I get old.”
