Local Laminex legend’s legacy

Sunbury resident David Lumsden worked for Laminex for 64 years before retiring earlier this month. (Damjan Janevski). 421182_01

Sunbury resident David Lumsden retired earlier this month after a remarkable 64 years with the same company.

Now 85 years old, Mr Lumsden joined Australian manufacturer and supplier Laminex in 1960 as an A-grade wood machinist and then became the machine shop supervisor.

In a retirement announcement on behalf of Mr Lumsden, a Laminex spokesperson said he made a big impact on the company throughout his long career.

“David has been an integral part of our company’s history and success since he joined us … throughout these six decades, his dedication, expertise, and unwavering commitment has left an unforgettable mark on all of us,” the spokesperson said.

“David’s contributions have shaped our business in profound ways, earning him the respect and admiration of colleagues, clients, and partners alike. His wisdom and guidance has not only guided our company … but has also inspired generations of employees to strive for excellence”.

Mr Lumsden said throughout his career with Laminex, he manufactured a wide range of products across several industries.

These included shop fittings, dishwasher tops, heater cabinets, and even veneer linings for suburban trains.

Mr Lumsden said the variety in his work was one of the factors leading him to remain with the company for 64 years.

“The work was interesting, you had to think things out. It wasn’t boring … a lot of times [the clients] weren’t too sure what they wanted and you had to work it out for them,” he said.

Mr Lumsden retired on Friday, July 5, after serving the company in the final years of his career as a handyman.

“My partner, when we talked about retirement, she said ‘if you come home, you’ll drive me mad and I’ll drive you mad!’”