Alistair ‘Mick’ McBain would be well known to most, especially those who live in the rural areas of the Upper Hunter Shire as he has worked on the council’s timber bridge construction and maintenance team for almost five decades.

The hard working employee has decided to hang up his hat to retire and was formally acknowledged and thanked for his contribution to the business at Monday night’s council meeting in the presence of many of his co-workers and councillors.

After moving to Scone from the Wingham and Taree area where he worked in a saw mill, and after a short stint at Scone Tyre Service, Mick soon started working for the council on May 10, 1965.

Being the council’s main timber bridge construction and maintenance man, Mick was once asked to speak at a carpenter’s school at Dorrigo in the 1970s, which he did. 

Upper Hunter Shire mayor Michael Johnsen thanked Mick and congratulated him on his long and illustrious career at the council. 

“On behalf of the council I thank you very much for your commitment to the council.

“To work at the one organisation for 49 years says a lot about you and the organisation itself. 

“You’ve earnt a lot of respect from a lot of people both in the council and the wider community,” he said. 

“Your commitment and no nonsense attitude have been very much appreciated.”

Mick said throughout the years he has simply taken each day as it came and did the job the best he could. 

He recalls memories of hanging underneath bridges doing work while trucks fly across them.

“There have been good days and bad days, and I’ve played the odd joke on people, but nothing serious.

“I’ve enjoyed my time at the council, you’re never in one spot for too long and I enjoyed working in places all around the shire.”

Mick and his wife will set off on Wednesday in their van for the next chapter of their life - adventuring.