Harold Murphy isn’t afraid of a bit of hard work, and it shows after clocking up an impressive 50 years service with McCain Foods.

Beginning as a 24-year-old, Harold first worked out in the field, on the pea and bean harvesters as a short term casual before heading out bush once the season was over.

In 1970 Harold was again offered the chance to work the harvester and agreed, on the proviso it was full-time employment, as he needed a guaranteed job through the winter.

Harold worked the mobile viners for the next nine to 10 years, with McCain subcontracting out to General Jones, and working areas anywhere from Smithton to Devonport.

Around 1979 McCain took over all the machinery and Harold spent his time between Smithton and Forest working in several positions over the next forty years.

Harold says the maintenance team were all multi-skilled and every day brought something different. There was always work to be done in some area, be it inside, outside, in storage or wherever they were needed.

Maintenance Manager for McCain, Brendon Hills says Harold would go out of his way to help out and was more than happy to do any overtime.

“Harold would help out anytime, he would do anything you gave him.”

“He was the only guy on night shift that I’ve never seen shut his eyes for a minute.”

Harold was around to see McCain Foods purchase the Copper Kettle vegetable processing plant in 1984 and witnessed the building of the potato processing plant in ’88.

Working maintenance at the potato processing plant since the vegetable plant closed its doors in 2010, Harold says he has enjoyed his work over the last 50 years and the secret to racking up the years is enjoying what you do.

“If you don’t like what you’re doing, it can become a real burden.”

“If you work for good people, get good help and make good friends, it’s quite easy. 

“Every day isn’t smooth but that’s like every job,” Harold said.

While Harold had planned on retiring at the end of the year, illness forced his hand early with his official last day being celebrated on July 7. 

“On behalf of McCain engineering department, I’d like to congratulate Harold on his dedication towards the team, he has gone above and beyond in his fifty years of service,” Brendon said.

“He has been a really good worker, with great work quality.”

McCain presented Harold with a plaque and a watch to commemorate his years of service and celebrated with a cake and a tour of the recent expansions and changes made at the factory in his absence.

Harold Murphy was presented with a plaque and a watch for his fifty years of service, pictured with Praelene George, Director of HR, Australia and New Zealand, John Allen, Manufacturing Director Australia and New Zealand, Gordon Gillies, Plant Manager Smithton, Louis Wolthers, Regional President Australia, South Africa, India and China and Brendon Hills, Engineering and Maintenance Manager Smithton.