Metro has celebrated long-serving employees and their combined 11,000 years of Melbourne rail expertise at the annual Milestones dinner on Friday 23 February.

This year, 529 Metro staff were recognised for working on Melbourne’s rail network for 15 years or more.

We were joined by dignitaries the Minister for Public and Active Transport Gabrielle Williams, and other important stakeholders and shareholders.

This year, seven Metro staff clocked up between 51 and 55 years – Metro’s current longest-serving railway members.

Ian Cook, Michael Vinay and Eugene Accornero have spent their careers in the railways, starting in the late 60s and early 70s.

When they started their railway careers, the network looked very different to what it does today – well before the Melbourne Underground Rail Loop (City Loop) was built, level crossings were removed, and works on the new Metro Tunnel kicked off.

Having worked in completely different areas of the business for their whole rail careers – in Engineering, Signals and Stations – they had the unique opportunity to celebrate together at Metro’s Milestone celebration dinner.

Metro CEO Raymond O’Flaherty said, “I feel privileged to be able to celebrate the outstanding contributions of so many incredible people who have committed their working lives to the railways.”

“Public transport provides great careers for our people and their wonderful contributions have kept our city moving every day.

We thank Ian, Michael, Eugene, and all other staff who have played a massive role in moving Melbourne.