On Monday 6th September 1976, Ken Hansen started work at Ventura.
Fifty years later, he’s still here.
It’s the kind of milestone you don’t come across very often anymore, and one that deserved a proper celebration. Past and present colleagues joined Ken at Ventura’s Monbulk Depot to celebrate his incredible 50 years of service, share a few stories and recognise a career spanning five decades.
For Ken, seeing familiar faces from across the years made the occasion even more special – a reminder of just how many friendships and connections can be made over half a century at Ventura.
Over those five decades, Ken has watched a lot change. Buses have changed, technology has changed, Melbourne has changed and Ventura has grown enormously. But Ken has remained a familiar face and an important part of the Ventura story.
And while 50 years at the same company might suggest Ken likes staying close to home, that definitely isn’t the case.
Outside of work, Ken has travelled to just about every corner of Australia. In fact, there’s only one place up north he hasn’t managed to tick off the list yet. We’ll give you a hint… it’s a pretty big place, there are crocodiles, and Darwin might have something to do with it!
Ventura CEO Carol-Anne Nelson said celebrating Ken’s milestone was a special moment for everyone.
“Fifty years! How incredible is that? You just don’t see milestones like this very often, and it says so much about Ken and the person he is. He’s given such a huge part of his working life to Ventura, made so many friendships along the way and seen this business change enormously. We’re very lucky to have had him with us for all these years – although after 50 years, I think Ken probably knows Ventura better than all of us!”
Ken’s story is a reminder that a career can be much more than simply turning up for work. It’s the people you meet, the friendships you make, the stories you collect and the contribution you leave behind.
At Ventura, we’re proud to have people who choose to build long and meaningful careers with us. Few examples demonstrate that better than someone reaching an extraordinary 50 years.
And after half a century, you might expect Ken to finish the celebrations with some grand words of wisdom.
Instead, he kept it perfectly Ken.
“Keep up the good work.”
We’ll do our best, Ken.
Congratulations on 50 incredible years with Ventura and thank you for being such an important part of our story.
