'50 not out' for Tony

It's a formidable length of service with one company but Tony Beasley says his 50 years with Trubuilt Kitchens, Pambula have been "more than just working for someone". 

"I love the friendship and how they've treated me; it's like I'm one of the family," Tony said of his job and the Pointon family who have owned the business through three generations.

Some 50 years ago as a 16 year old, Tony approached the company about getting an apprenticeship in joinery and carpentry.

"I went to Pambula Beach and saw Robbie's grandfather (Robbie Pointon is the third generation Pointon to run the business) Jack building a house. I asked him if I could do an apprenticeship and he said he would talk it over with his son, John (Robbie's father)," Tony explained.

"They told me to come back a week later and I became their first apprentice. Mr Pointon - as he was to me then - told me I needed a hammer, a nail pouch and a chisel. They used to load me up with three inch nails so it wore out fairly quickly," Tony said.

He remembers most of the house building jobs at the beach were on a slope and areas had to be excavated by hand. He also remembers putting down flooring, walking only over the joists.

Then John Pointon started the joinery to build kitchens. It started out as kitchens just for the homes they were building but then other customers started asking for their kitchens.

Of course in the meantime there have been considerable changes in the way that kitchens are made.

"It's changed so much. We used to mark out, have a cutting list, put the edging on the surfaces, drill all the holes, take it to the bench and put it together. There were no battery or electric tools. Nowadays it comes off a computer and we assemble it."

One of the strengths of having Tony train our apprentices is that he knew how to do things the old way.

Sally Pointon

But the desire for meticulous precision and quality still remains for Tony and he likes to check the figures even though the computer has done its work.

"We had to be precise,' he said and it's something he still adheres to.

After he finished his apprenticeship he then started training others and over the years he has trained 15 apprentices. The first one was John Pointon's son Robbie who took over the business after he completed his apprenticeship under Tony's watchful eye.

His craftsmanship means the bar is very high.

Sally Pointon

"I looked on him as a friend, we used to play tennis together and John taught me how to ski. They really looked after me. It was more than just working for someone," Tony said.

"For 50 years I've always had work - there was only half a day of downtime between two jobs - I just love coming to work. It's a great atmosphere and he looks after me," Tony said nodding towards his boss Robbie.

The respect is mutual.

"One of the strengths of having Tony train our apprentices is that he knew how to do things the old way. There was no cutting corners and his patience makes him a role model to everyone. He is the epitome of an honest and generous person and he's never been any different," Sally Pointon said.

"His craftsmanship means the bar is very high," Sally added.

Robbie and Sally Pointon laugh as they recall the joy flight they bought for Tony after he had been with them for 40 years.

"There were three seats and the pilot and we asked him to pick who he'd like to go with. It took him six months to decide and he was prepared to let someone go in his place because he couldn't decide," Robbie said.

So what does Tony love about his work?

"It's a lot easier than it used to be but it's interesting. Nothing's the same," he said.

"When you're finished you've got a beautiful kitchen in front of you. There are always challenges to everything we do," Robbie said.

It's not just Tony who obviously enjoys his work. Between the 14 staff there are a good number of years of service and many who have left in the past have returned to be part of the Trubuilt team.

I've never had to worry. I just want to thank the whole Pointon family.

Tony Beasley

The latest apprentice to qualify under Tony's direction is Lachlan Rooney who is keenly waiting to to pass the barbecue tongs on to the next apprentice.

It's been a tradition for many years that the most recent apprentice gets handed the tongs and gets to cook the eggs and bacon provided by Robbie every Friday morning.

On other days Tony has often been the one to provide some pies or sausage rolls for the staff and Sally said it was almost impossible to stop him.

As in any business there have been the funny moments such as when a very long-haired young Tony was mistaken for a girl working behind the bar at the old Merimbula RSL Club.

A patron was directed to the bar to buy a drink where Tony was working on a refit. The customer only saw the hair and asked to be served; it was when he stood up the customer got a surprise.

They've always made me welcome and looked after me all my life.

Tony Beasley

I had very long hair and I used to tie it in a pony tail. I went to Bega High School and was one of the longest haired students there," Tony said with a laugh.

"I love the friendship and how they've treated me. It's like I was one of the family. They've always made me welcome and looked after me all my life. I've never had to worry. I just want to thank the whole Pointon family," Tony said.

However despite his 50 years, Tony has no immediate plans to retire.

"I don't know what I'd do without work. I'm happy to keep on. It's good to come here. We have our laughs and stir each other up," he said.