Milestone celebrated
WHEN Ian McQuillan first started an apprenticeship with Hastings Deering, worksheets were written on paper and there were no computers.
The legendary tool storeman celebrated 50 years with the same company at a ceremony this week, along with several younger colleagues enjoying other anniversaries.
Known by his nickname “Flash”, Mr McQuillan said he had started work by bugging the previous owner every week until he gave in and hired him.
“I used to go back every Friday after school and say I really wanted an apprenticeship,” he said.
“He said he only put on an apprentice every two years, so next year was the year.
“But I would come back the next Friday, and I kept going back for six weeks.
“He said, ‘I’ll have to give you an apprenticeship because you won’t go away’.”
His five decades with Hastings Deering has taken him across the country and even to Papua New Guinea.
Mr McQuillan, who acts as a mentor for the first-year apprentices, said his passion for repairing and servicing
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massive construction vehicles had never faltered.
“I just really like working for the company, and when I feel like I need to move on, I just transfer to another branch,” he said.
“They do a fair bit for you, and they are always there to support you.”
Hastings Deering operations manager Justin Butcher, who also celebrated 20 years at the company, said Mr McQuillan’s experience was invaluable to the massive servicing workforce.
“His years of service are more than just years — he’s put his heart and soul into his career,” he said.
“This is almost his second home, he’s here more often than he’s in bed.
“With his experience, skills and knowledge, our view is to really put that onto the apprentices as they come through.”
Other workers who celebrated milestones included Wil Hamilton (10 years), Dylan Shaw (10 years), Corey Hauser (10 years) and Casey Dallas (15 years).