By Bonny Burrows
John Dore has come a long way from the nervous 15-year-old who got his father to talk his way through his interview at a Pakenham food processing factory, now known as Simplot.
Delivering his farewell speech 47 years on, there were no signs of the shy boy who first walked through the gates in 1971.
Dorey, as he is affectionately known, stood confidently in front of more than a 100 co-workers, many of whom he now calls a friend, cracking jokes while on the verge of tears as he said goodbye to the company which gave him a chance.
Colleagues including fellow maintenance fitter Noel Delfsma, used the 23 February farewell afternoon tea to share their fond memories of Mr Dore’s time at the factory.
Mr Delfsma told of his first introduction to Mr Dore, which occurred after the former had set his jacket on fire.
“A senior fitter who worked here at the time said “Big Dorey is going to flamin’ kill you! Read other word for flamin’,” Mr Delfsma said.
“It was a pretty nervous time for me until John came back. I didn’t know what a “Big Dorey” was and I certainly didn’t want to be flamin’ killed.
“Anyway, John eventually returned from his leave and we were introduced.
“John was immediately informed by the senior fitter, who was grinning from ear to ear, that I had set his jacket on fire.
“John wasn’t worried and didn’t say anything about it. Phew! And he wasn’t that big either.”
Engineering manager Matt Buhagiar described Mr Dore as “a treasure of knowledge on site”.
“He’s probably one of the true people I couldn’t say a bad word about,” Mr Buhagiar said.
“He’s worked right up to the end.”
This sense of work ethic was something Mr Dore’s colleagues said they aspired to.
“John is highly regarded amongst the tradesmen, engineers and production employees alike,” Mr Delfsma said.
“His experience, knowledge, organisation and support will be very much missed as he makes his way through the next stage of his life.
“As will his caring, good nature and interesting conversation at the smoko table.”
Mr Dore, who met his wife Judy at the factory in the early ’70s, said while he would miss the place, it was the right time to go.
“I am overwhelmed and I am emotional,” Mr Dore said.
“It’s been wonderful to work with you blokes and I’m going to miss you all.”
I recognition of his 47 years of work, Mr Dore was presented with a replica of the workshop.
The company has also renamed his former stomping ground to the John Dore Workshop, to which Mr Dore said was “an honour, as long as they keep it clean”.
