Murray loves to roll up sleeves

Murray loves to roll up sleeves CLIFF HUNT- TARANAKI STAR Last updated 11:44 28/08/2014 Star manager Cliff Hunt , who worked his way up from the shop floor, talks with people who don't mind getting their hands dirty - the kind of people who make South Taranaki a great place to live. -------------------- Forty-five years is a long time at one place - and still loving every minute of it is local joiner Murray West of Arthur Brown Construction. "I can remember two dates," Murray said, "May 8, 1967 when I first started work for Waipari Timber; and August 4, 1969 when I started with Browns." Murray has had two jobs, starting his apprenticeship with Waipari before he was transferred to Arthur Brown Construction, and has been to two schools - Manaia Primary and Hawera High School. In the early days, Murray, whose parents farmed on Roundbush Rd, Manaia, had to get up early to bike to Manaia, catch the Egmont Tourist Bus to Hawera. And then do the same to get home. After bussing and biking for a few years Murray bought his first car- a 1967 Volkswagen. In 1969, when he first started work for Browns, the joinery manager was Bruce Oakes and 14 years later, when he retired, Murray took over his job. He held the position for the next 27 years before he stepped down to go back to the shop floor. Now the joinery manager is Jason Cameron, who was one of Murray's apprentices. "I just love being back on the ‘bench' - working with my hands again. A lot of solid timber was used in the early days but now Melteca, custom-wood and aluminium is used. But it has made the job a lot easier," Murray said. These days Murray, besides working for Browns, runs a Bed and Breakfast on Waihi Rd with his wife Christina. http://www.stuff.co.nz/taranaki-daily-news/news/south-taranaki-star/10433395/Murray-loves-to-roll-up-sleeves