Mount Evelyn
Tuesday, 27 February, 2024
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A Star News Group Publication
PR OP ER TY
Phone: 5957 3700 Trades and Classifieds: 1300 666 808
Mr Caruana was 19-years-old when he joined the McDonald’s third franchise in Melbourne.
George Caruana is McDonald’s Australia’s longest employee, celebrating 50 years at the company. Picture: SUPPLIED
Maccas maestro It’s been a big month for Lilydale McDonald’s employee George Caruana who celebrated 50 years with the company on Friday 23 February, making him Australia’s longest standing employee for the fast food giant. But not only that, he celebrated 63 years living in Australia after coming with his family from Malta and is soon expecting a grand child. “It’s all happening this year,” he said. First joining the employment ranks of Mc-
Donald’s by a chance meeting with the manager of the Collingwood store in 1974, Mr Caruana said it was a dream come true being offered a position in the food industry. Quickly finding his feet, it wasn’t long until Mr Caruana was helping to promote the brand and engage with customers day-to-day, as well as training new staff as more and more stores opened. All in all, Mr Caruana estimates he has worked at close to 40 different stores where he played an integral part in customer engage-
ment and training. Now based solely at the Lilydale store, Mr Caruana has become part of the community, meeting friends and regular customers through his work. Bringing the same amount of passion and care to his work, Mr Caruana said “I just love it so much”. Not only is he a dedicated employee but someone who values the work of the charity arm of McDonald’s, Ronald McDonald House.
“It’s 33 years this year and I am still collecting money. I think I’ve collected $157,000,” he said. “And I always go and visit the house. And we put on barbecues for them and feed them for nothing.” With more still to give, Mr Caruana said he’s not ready to retire just yet, aiming for another five or so years of employment. A slight competitive streak is also fuelling the desire to stay on. To find out, turn to page 9
Tel:97362853•ClancyRoad,MtEvelyn3796
www.evelynrecycling.com.au
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A boutique studio located between the Dandenong Ranges and the Yarra Valley.