Libbis celebrates 50 years of service

TORQUAY local Greg Libbis is hanging up the suit and tie in pursuit of the caravanning life after 50 years working at the same financial services company.

The much-loved employee is stepping away from accounting and taxation at Findex, having worked with the organisation and its predecessor firms for five decades.

Libbis officially finished permanent work in December 2021, but continued on a casual basis from the Torquay office over the past few years.

“I started way back in 1975 in Colac. It’s had six or seven name changes – it’s Findex now,” he said.

“We only had eight or so staff then, and the Colac business just grew and grew over time. It was taken over by an investment group who bought firms across Victoria. Down the track it became WHK, then Crowe

Howarth, and now Findex. Now we’ve got 3,000 employees all over Australia.

“I moved to Torquay in 2003 and was working a few days out of Colac and a few out of Geelong. After a few years of doing that, I started to work out of an office in Torquay.”

He said the key to his longevity had been the people, the company, and the flexibility of the lifestyle.

“I’ve seen a lot of changes going from a small accounting firm to being part of a large organisation.

“There was a lot of flexibility being down here too – you could work on a Sunday or Saturday and take the Wednesday off.

 

“Interaction within the office was really good and probably one of the big reasons I stayed. I’m pretty easy to get along with and that has a lot to do with it. Time goes quick.”

Libbis was farewelled by colleagues last week at Doc Hughes, celebrating his remarkable milestone.

Findex senior partner Damian McVilly said he would be sorely missed.

“It’s an amazing achievement, especially in today’s world where someone has been at the same place for 50 years,” he said.

“I’ve worked with him personally for 26 years, and to think he’s been there double that time is absolutely amazing. He’ll certainly be missed – particularly around the Torquay office, where he’s always good for a bit of banter and a bit of fun.”

Libbis said caravanning and overseas travel were high on the agenda for the future.

“Over the past 10 years I’ve been chewing up some of my long service leave and being away for two or three months at a time. We’ve been caravanning for a little while now – myself and my wife. We love heading up north.

“We’ll continue caravanning, and we’re going to Europe in September and the UK. We intend to do a bit of overseas travel.

“All in all, I’ve thoroughly enjoyed my time working with the company. It’s kept me active and the old brain ticking over.

“It’s like a life sentence – 50 years. Not many people would get there these days.”