Westmead’s treasure calls it a day!

One of the longest serving porter Les Clarke has decided to hang up his joggers to prepare for his well-deserved retirement.

He started at Westmead on 28 April 1980, when a loaf of bread cost 54c, a litre of milk 63c and the average mortgage was $37,542, which was twice the annual salary of $19,000.

Les has seen many changes over the years as he started out transporting patients to and from wards and theatres.

Westmead Hospital orderly services manager Dave Horne said Les has been stationed in many departments within the hospital, including nuclear medicine where the nurse unit manager Lorraine Flynn described him as an “absolute treasure.”

“After many years he moved to the radiology department and at one stage he had a change of heart for his career and transferred to work in the linen services department where he remained for almost two years,” Mr Horne said.

“He returned to his grass roots of portering and to the radiology department where he remained until his last working day.

“Les has been an integral part of the team and has made many friends and lots of great memories. 

“His reliability and dedication are already missed and on behalf of our team we wish Les joy and relaxation in his retirement.”

Les was well known for his sense of humour and told The Pulse he was looking forward to spending his retirement years free from not having to race to the station.

“I’ll be hitting the snooze on the alarm clock every 5 minutes,” he laughed.

Good luck Les and we wish you all the best in your new life after work!