Dubbo Regional Council (DRC) is this year celebrating Raymond (John) Fardell’s half-century of dedicated service to local government.
Mr Fardell began his career in 1974 with the Dubbo Municipal Council before transitioning to the Talbragar Shire Council and then Dubbo City Council.
“I was in the concrete gang, pouring headwalls. The road out past the Zoo, Obley Road, it was dirt back then. We used to take our own gravel, own water and cement mixer and mix it all on site. It had to be built and poured, there was no ordering concrete in back then,” Mr Fardell said.
Over his years of employment Mr Fardell has been employed driving ‘an old tractor and slasher’ with no cabin, an Austin Tipper to cart gravel, Leyland Box Trucks including a Leyland Hippo, eight-wheeler trucks and R-Model Mac Semis.
While he has witnessed a transformation to operations, from changes to the way machinery is upgraded and purchased, to uniform regulations, the support and comradeship within the organisation has remained absolute.
John attributes his time with Council to the relationships he has fostered with colleagues and the guidance he has been provided by his superiors.
“It’s all the people and just the company. I love the blokes and the bosses; I’ve had some really good bosses who have looked after me to a T.”
“If you get a job on Council, see it out. Stay here. I still love it. The awards and the conditions, you might be able to earn more money elsewhere, but you can’t beat anything else,” Mr Fardell said.
Having celebrated his 75th birthday in April, Mr Fardell says ‘retirement’ is a dirty word.
“I just love coming to work.”
Mr Fardell rides his push bike to work each morning, arriving at 5.30am before his 7am shift starts.
When he arrives at the Hawthorn Street Works Depot John grabs a bucket of warm water and a sponge to wash down his truck. At 6.20am you’ll find him making a cup of coffee in the kitchen area. And at 7am he’s ready to start his shift for the day.
“I just love it, I love driving the trucks, I always wanted to drive the trucks, and I’ve had some good bosses too.”
Mr Fardell was recognised for his 50 year service to Council during the May Ordinary meeting of Council and during a breakfast celebration with his colleagues.
