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General News

20 April, 2023

Russell celebrates 45 years on the job

Council’s longest serving operations team member Russell Le Tisser has been recognised for his 45 years with the organisation, with a tree planted in Phillips Gardens to mark his contribution to the community. Starting work with the Central...

By Riley Upton

Russell Le Tisser, Brenton Hull and Wayne Pritchard planted Phillips Gardens’ newest tree earlier this week, recognising Russell’s 45 years with council. Photo number: 210423 04
Russell Le Tisser, Brenton Hull and Wayne Pritchard planted Phillips Gardens’ newest tree earlier this week, recognising Russell’s 45 years with council. Photo number: 210423 04

Council’s longest serving operations team member Russell Le Tisser has been recognised for his 45 years with the organisation, with a tree planted in Phillips Gardens to mark his contribution to the community.

Starting work with the Central Goldfields Shire Council as a bright eyed apprentice back in 1978, Russell still takes pride in his work today, 45 years later.

He was joined by co-workers, friends and family on Tuesday afternoon where a tree was planted in Phillips Gardens in recognition of his almost half century working with council.

“I applied for an apprenticeship in 1978 and got that, I didn’t really think I’d still be working in the same spot 45 years later — I thought that maybe after 10 years I’d move on but I’m still here,” he said.

“We’ve worked on a lot of different things over the years and you look back on those as achievements.

“There are trees I’ve planted in Phillips Gardens and looking at the size they are now, I think there’s no way I could have planted them.”

Looking back on his time with council’s operations team, Russell said his involvement in reconstructing High Street and the area around Maryborough’s Railway Station are among the bigger projects he’s had a hand in.

“There aren’t really any standout moments for me, it’s always been a good place for me to work,” he said.

“I was involved in reconstructing High Street twice and the area around the railway station twice which were pretty big projects.

“I’ve seen a lot of changes over the years and it’s all been for the better.”

Staying on with council for a few more years yet, Russell has also been heavily involved in setting up open spaces for events like Energy Breakthrough, which he said he’s enjoyed.

“We’ve lost a few events over the years but we also gained events as well so there have been changes there,” he said.

“Events like Energy Breakthrough and Relay for Life are pretty big and take some organising.”

Council’s manager operations Alan Jones described Russell’s role in operations as “pivotal”.

“Russell is a very friendly and cheerful person who’s willing to help out with anything, he’s the first person to put his hand up and help out,” he said.

“Russell has been pivotal in a lot of the major events that have happened locally, whether that be Energy Breakthrough or something else, he’s been the mainstay with a lot of those over the years and takes pride in his effort.”

Russell’s family gathered to see the tree planted. Photo number: 210423 05
Russell’s family gathered to see the tree planted. Photo number: 210423 05
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