Photo: The Scone Advocate

AN “all-round good bloke” celebrated a major milestone at TransCare this week.

Merriwa’s Chris Gill, the longest serving driver in the Scone-based organisation, chalked up 20 years – and his fellow employees were delighted to recognise the achievement by hosting a special function on Wednesday.

While embarrassed by all the attention, Mr Gill quietly admitted he was proud of the feat.

“I actually started in 1996, from April to July,” he said.

“But, then I needed to undergo a back operation.

“Afterwards, I was asked to work one day a week.

“It soon grew into a full-time role.”

A regular face on the Merriwa-Sandy Hollow-Denman-Muswellbrook-Aberdeen-Scone route, Mr Gill has certainly clocked up a kilometre or three on the road over the past two decades.

And, he doesn’t object one bit.

“People love the service – and I love mixing with people,” he said.

“It’s a good company to work for; all the staff are friendly.

“I was a shearer for 20 years, too, so driving a bus is so easy compared to that.

“When I began [with TransCare], I used to drive 600km a day – from Merriwa to Scone [with stops at Muswellbrook] and back three times.

“Now, I’m doing about 1250km a week.

“Lucky I don’t mind driving.

“I reckon I’ve got another 20 years in me,” he added with a laugh.

“Touch wood, I haven’t had an accident in the bus either – and that’s something I’m extremely proud of.”

TransCare’s transport coordinator Helen Schlegel said Mr Gill was an “all-round good bloke”.

“He’s been a loyal employee – and brings a lot of energy into the office,” she told the Advocate.

“Chris is a very popular staff member.

“He’s served the community well and we hope he continues to do so for a long time.”

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