On rare occasions would you find people like Alice Springs Town Council employees Leon “Curly” Tuttleby and Alan “Big Al” Stainer, who have reached 30 and 25 years of continued service respectively.

With combined experience totalling 55 years, the Alice Springs Town Council took great pleasure in awarding both Leon and Alan with engraved plaques and gifts in recognition of their long service.

“It is rare to find employees with such ongoing commitment in any organisation, and at Council we truly appreciate and recognise what Leon and Alan have contributed to the wider community as committed employees of Council,” said Council Chief Executive Officer Rex Mooney.

Leon Tuttleby started working for Council in 1977 in works and maintenance, and after 30 years has seen many changes both in Council and in the wider community.

“The first job I can remember is planting the trees on Undoolya Rd. I’ve always liked the outside work and knowing what you have to do, making great mates and contributing to the upkeep of a great town,” Leon said.

“I remember we were working near the Gap on road maintenance when a plane crashed into a building at the Alice Springs Airport. All the police, fire brigade and ambulances charged out and it was obvious something major and tragic had happened,” Leon recalled.

In his thirty years with Council Leon has worked with many people in the community, and has many funny stories when looking back over the years.

“I remember my old mate Len Frazer parking his water truck on the top of Anzac Hill, and the truck taking off without him in it,” Leon said.

“It was a real boost for me to stand up there in front of my work mates and accept the long service award, and to think I may have contributed something to Alice Springs over the years,” Leon said.

Alan Stainer began working for Council in 1982 as a painter and line marker, was then transferred to the position of truck driver and then moved into the depot stores where he remains today.

“The most likeable thing about my position is having contact and interaction with all staff at the depot, and also having contact with many of the administration staff,” Alan said.

Alan has also represented his depot colleagues on numerous committees over the years, and most recently as a workplace delegate.

“Council has always allowed me to maintain a good work and life balance. I was awarded an Australian Sports Medal for my long term voluntary involvement with motor sports in Alice Springs, which was made possible by the Alice Springs Town Council allowing me to take annual leave at appropriate times,” said Alan.

“I remember a rather difficult time, which is now quite amusing now some 12 or 13 years later, when I wasn’t seeing eye-to-eye with an old supervisor on a work place issue involving toxic paints. The outcome involved me spending three months cleaning repulsive things out of the Todd River bed and open drainage areas,” Alan recalled.

“Having been formally recognised for my 25 years with the Alice Springs Town Council and presented with a great award, I was truly humbled and appreciate the fact that I work for such a great employer, in addition to being able to work on behalf of and for the people of my home, Alice Springs,” Alan said.

For further information contact:

Mayor Fran Kilgariff (08) 8950 0525 or 0419 376 060

ASTC Chief Executive Officer Rex Mooney (08) 8950 0525 or 0427 161 956

ASTC Media Officer Fionn Muster (08) 8950 0546 or 0417 884 449