Home

Kwinana’s longest standing employee Angus Walley retires after 50 years of service

Headshot of Indigo Lemay-Conway
Indigo Lemay-ConwaySound Telegraph
Angus Walley retires after 50 years of service to the City of Kwinana.
Camera IconAngus Walley retires after 50 years of service to the City of Kwinana. Credit: City of Kwinana/Supplied/Supplied

Kwinana’s longest-standing employee is retiring after 50 years of service to the community.

Indigenous local Angus Walley has watched the City of Kwinana grow into what many locals call home today and said it had been “both satisfying and gratifying” being the longest-standing employee in the area.

“I’ve held various roles over the last 50 years; I am currently a property service officer but have worked on the road crew, been a surveyor’s assistant, and put the Christmas tree up in Medina every year to name a few,” Mr Walley said. “I helped build the toilet block near Sloan’s Cottage as well.”

Angus Walley with Kwinana Mayor Carol Adams.
Camera IconAngus Walley with Kwinana Mayor Carol Adams. Credit: City of Kwinana/Supplied/Supplied

Get in front of tomorrow's news for FREE

Journalism for the curious Australian across politics, business, culture and opinion.

READ NOW

Sloan Cottage is one of two significant heritage sites in Kwinana and in 1975 a commonwealth Grant of $311,000 was used for electricity and water supply, a toilet block, water tank, fencing, access road and car park for the site.

“The boulders were dropped off and we had to square them up,” Mr Walley said. “We carted water from the dam by the fig tree for the mortar and built it in keeping with the look of Sloan’s Cottage.

“I’m now the only one living from the group of four who built the toilet block.”

Mr Walley said watching young kids start off as receptionists at the City and work their way up to higher positions had been one of the best parts of his time with the council.

“To me, they grew with the City, we all grew old with the City,” he said.

“My daughter was one when I started working here, and I’m a great grandfather now. Four of my kids worked here and four grandchildren did work experience because the local government gave them the opportunity.”

As for his reason for retiring, Mr Walley said it was simply his time.

“I’ve decided to retire because it’s best to get out while you are healthy and fit and go do what you want to do,” he said.

Mayor Carol Adams wished Mr Walley all the best in his future endeavours and hoped he would one day consider writing a journal of his time at the City.

“Angus has been such a treasure to the City for five decades and has been part of Kwinana’s growth through the various jobs he has undertaken during his time,” Cr Adams said.

“He has literally built and restored so much in the City, and will no doubt enjoy a well-earned retirement.”

Get the latest news from thewest.com.au in your inbox.

Sign up for our emails