More than 1000 years of collective service was recently celebrated by Territory Families, Housing and Communities staff who received length-of-service awards.
Among those recognised was Homelands Project Officer, Douglas Geddes, who has chalked up 48 years of public service with a career that has touched multiple agencies.
In 1974, 17-year-old Douglas got a job as an apprentice electrician with the Commonwealth Government working out of a consolidated trades and works compound known as 2 ½ Mile Workshops, in Parap.
"I was so lucky that in that job they really invested in my training and I also learned how to be an electrical fitter and an electrical mechanic," he said.
"Getting access to skilled staff with a wide skill set was such a great opportunity as a young man.
"When the Territory began self-government I moved into Aboriginal Essential Services which is similar to the work that I've come back to the best part of 40 years later."
In his current role, Douglas works as part of the Homelands Services Group across 400 remote outstations to support Aboriginal Service Providers to maximise their ability to keep essential services functioning.
"We go out to these outstations and just make sure that the people on the ground have all the support they need for their communities to be self-sufficient," he said.
"The goal of the work we do is to make sure that communities and NGOs are appropriately funded, skilled and supported to deliver things like housing repairs, grading or maintaining the tips and sewage systems.
"I really like what I do and I genuinely believe that the work I do makes a difference to 400 communities spread across 1.4 million square miles."
From 1974 to 2022, Douglas' career has varied across multiple departments from Transport and Works, the Department of Planning and Infrastructure, Department of Education, Primary Industries and Health.
"Probably the thing I'm most proud of in my career was working as a property manager as part of the design team for the (Royal Darwin) Hospice," he said.
"It was such a wonderful and dignified place for people to die and my father passed away peacefully in that building.
"When he was still healthy Dad actually arranged the drink trolley that circulated around the facility through his long links with the RSL."
TFHC Chief Executive Ken Davies said the awards were an opportunity to thank and recognise staff.
"As a Department, we are less than two years old but our teams are made up of professionals with rich and diverse experience and an underlying drive and passion to serve our community," he said.
"We are incredibly fortunate to have so many long-serving staff and we are grateful for your ongoing contribution you make for all Territorians."
