Somerset celebrates 365 years of combined service
Published on 11 December 2025
Somerset Regional Council Mayor Jason Wendt with Long Service Recognition Award recipients Steve Brennan, Peter Hardie, Chol Lueth, Rob Hester, Helen Golinski, Llgel Heck, Michael Greenstreet, Kara Main, Kerri-Lee Jones, Jon Floss, Sharon Hall, Kris East and Council CEO Andrew Johnson.
SOMERSET Regional Council celebrated the achievements and dedication of 19 team members at its annual Service Recognition Ceremony in November 2025.
The ceremony recognised milestone years for Council staff, ranging from 10 years to 45 years, with a total of 365 years of combined service celebrated.
Celebrating 10 years were Senior Civil Engineer Chol Lueth, Office Administrator Crystal Dawson, Works Coordinator Peter Hardie, Crew Leader (Flocon) Paul Werner and Library Assistant Kara Main.
Celebrating 15 years were Crew Leader (Concrete Crew) Jon Floss, Environmental Services Manager Steve Brennan, Customer Service Officer Sharon Hall, Leading Hand Mechanic Kris East and Development Compliance Manager Madeline Jeff.
Three staff celebrated 20 years, including Excavator Operator Llgel Heck and Building Certifier Craig Stevens.
Another three staff celebrated 25 years of service, including Director HR and Customer Service Kerri-Lee Jones and Executive Assistant Helen Golinski.
Marking a whopping 30 years of service were Loader Operator Phillip Kinde and Crew Leader (Cemetery Operations and Refuse Management) Rob Hester.
Lastly, Truck and Dog Operator Michael Greenstreet celebrated an impressive 45 years of service with Council.
Mr Greenstreet said he started his career in local government by pushing a lawnmower.
“Then I went onto the tractor slasher for a while, then I did a short stint on the bitumen truck, and then I did three or four years on the garbage truck” Mr Greenstreet said.
“I didn’t have plans to stay here but then I got married and bought a house in town and I liked what I was doing, so I just kept doing it.
“When I started the vehicles and machinery were 20-year-old pieces of junk, but now with the modern Council it’s a dream.”
Mr Greenstreet said he took great pride in the kerb and channelling on Taylor Street in Kilcoy, which was done by hand at the time.
He said the key to a long career was simple.
“I think it boils down to actually liking the job and getting on well with your work mates,” Mr Greenstreet said.
“Council has looked after me over the years, through thick and thin.”
Somerset Regional Council CEO Andrew Johnson thanked the team members for their many years of hard work.
“Our team is dedicated to keeping Somerset beautiful, prosperous and resilient, and they do a wonderful job,” Mr Johnson said.
“Thank you for your commitment and service to the residents of Somerset.”