On the 5th of December 1966, just a month after his 16th birthday, Larry McCallum left his work on the family farm behind, and made one of the biggest changes in his young life – joining ‘The Hydro’.

“I was working the Mossy Marsh Siphon… laying rail lines for the winch... We were setting up to recondition the steel liner,” Larry said. “It was frightening, I was a shy boy back then… after a week I was about to chuck it all in! But I stuck with it, and here I am now.”

Larry with his daughters Tamera and Danielle. 

Larry is Hydro Tasmania’s longest serving current employee and this month, surrounded by his family, friends, and colleagues, officially retired after 57 years of dedicated service!

“I would like to congratulate Larry on the outstanding achievement of 57 years with Hydro Tasmania. I’d like to personally thank him for his contributions, care, and custodianship of our assets over a lifetime," said Jesse Clark, Executive GM of Assets & Infrastructure. 

Larry and family

“Larry has not only played a key role within the business, and been a loyal team member, he’s also become part of the fabric of the Derwent Valley community,” Jesse said. 

Not many people know this but Larry also holds the unofficial company record for the largest fish caught at the Tarraleah tailrace. Check out the video below to find out more!