General News
11 July, 2024
Brian calls time on 39 years
Since its formation in 1995, very few people have been as dedicated to the Central Goldfields Shire as Brian Powell. After 39 years of service across multiple positions, the Talbot resident has decided to hang up the hi-vis on the eve of his 76th...
Since its formation in 1995, very few people have been as dedicated to the Central Goldfields Shire as Brian Powell.
After 39 years of service across multiple positions, the Talbot resident has decided to hang up the hi-vis on the eve of his 76th birthday.
Mr Powell started his career in 1985, in the wake of the devastating Maryborough-Avoca bushfire which burnt through 50,800 hectares.
After fighting the blazes as a volunteer at the Talbot Fire Brigade, the Talbot Shire approached Mr Powell to help residents clean up more than 40,000 livestock killed during the fire.
“The shire offered me six weeks because of the fires and cleaning up all of the dead animals was real hard,” Mr Powell said.
“After the fires, I continued as a labourer, then I was a tractor roller and after that I worked as a grader driver.”
After the Talbot Shire was combined with parts of the Bet Bet, Clunes, Tullaroop, and City of Maryborough shires, Mr Powell joined the newly formed Central Goldfields Shire to continue as a labourer and grader driver.
As council work evolved due to advancements in technology and council responsibility, Mr Powell said new, exciting opportunities were made possible, keeping him motivated for nearly four decades.
“I love the job that I’m doing now as an asset inspector and airport contact, I look after footpaths, roads, playgrounds, lakes, airports and landfill,” he said.
“I am on my own for four hours a day, and if they want me, they ring me, I get in my ute and just drive.
“I filled in for six weeks in that role to start with, and when my six weeks were up they said that I wasn’t going anywhere.”
Despite enjoying his current role, Mr Powell said the time was right to move away from council work.
“I am just about 76 years old, I feel myself getting slower, and I think I have had enough,” he said.
“I’ve really enjoyed my time at council, I have had some great workmates and bosses along the way, my current boss said he is claiming victory because he’s the only one who’s outlasted me.”
No one was more surprised by Mr Powell’s decision than his wife Lorraine, who said he should be proud of his efforts.
“I didn’t believe him when he first told me that he was thinking about leaving, and then I was shocked when he came home one night and said he did it,” she said.
“The shire has been exceptionally fair and good to Brian and it’s because he’s been exceptionally fair and good to them.
“Brian never understood the words ‘lean on a shovel’, all Brian knows is if you have a job to do, go do it.
“I have been asking if he is absolutely sure about retiring because after six months I’m sure he will be bored out of his brain.”
Despite his wife’s concerns, Mr Powell said he is looking forward to an active retirement.
“I don’t think I will be sitting down a whole lot — I have always thought that if I’m fit and healthy, I might as well use it,” he said.
“I’m hoping to go on a few more holidays and it will be great to spend some more time with the grandkids.”