By the time the frames started going up for the eagerly awaited library in Glen Waverley's Kingsway, back in 1975-76, George Mulgrew was already a veteran of the building game.
The Glen Waverley resident, 99 on Boxing Day this year, was a member of the carpentry team during the construction of the new Glen Waverley Library and, half a century later, still remembers the project with great fondness.
"There were four of us (on the carpentry team) and we worked on the columns and that; and there were lots of things inside too," George said. "We were there, right in it, from day one. In the mud and the clay."
By the time the Glen Waverley job came about, George was an experienced carpenter with more than 30 years in the trade.
"When the war started, you couldn't get a job for a while," he said. "When I got to 16, I'd done a few smaller jobs, (and) I decided it was time to get a permanent job."
Carpentry came calling.
George said his boss on the Glen Waverley site was highly organised, laying out the day's tasks every morning before setting George to work.
He never let his boss down.
"I had all the tools I required, I just enjoyed being there," George said. "I was able to put my hand to 99 per cent of the jobs."
While modest about his contribution, George did admit to feeling a great deal of pride in building something that has not only stood the test of time but has been such an important resource for Glen Waverley and its residents.
"Yes, it was important at the time, being able to work on somewhere that gave young children the opportunity to read a book," he said. "But we just got on and got the job done."
George eagerly awaits what the new library planned for the site will look like.
"It's getting a bit harder to get there for a personal visit these days," he said. "But it will be interesting to see."
We're building a new library for Glen Waverley. Stay up to date with project timelines and information, including temporary library sites, at monlib.vic.gov.au/library
Picture: Tools at the ready. One of the highlights of George Mulgrew's carpentry career was working on the original Glen Waverley library.
