Our People
25 September, 2025
AME’s longest serving employee calls it a day
WHEN Greg Hinchliffe began working for the late Peter Carthew back in 1978, he could never have imagined that it was the start of a 47 career with the same employer.
Back then the business was known as TCT with just 12 employees but it was headed for great things.
In late 1977, Greg had just finished form five at Ararat Technical School and went for an interview for a job as an apprentice electrician at TCT.
He admits he didn’t really want the job, with his sights more firmly set on farming.
Greg said a factory environment wasn’t his scene.
“Being a country boy I hoped I wouldn’t be selected,” he said.
But he received the call to say he had been successful and that was the start of 47 years employment with the same firm.
Greg commenced work in January 1978 at TCT which in those days was based at the back of the old Prestige Fabrics site in a cement shoe shed.
“It was a happy environment to work in and everyone had a hands on role including Peter (Carthew).”
Not long after, TCT moved to a building at the council yards, before setting up a permanent base in Gordon Street where its successor AME Systems operates from today.
On Tuesday the 16th of September, Greg turned 65 and decided it was the right time to move on.
His first job at TCT was known as ‘tin dipping”
“I hated it. I had to do four to five thousand wires which were 50 millimetres long and they all required tinning on both ends, they were all in bundles of fifties,” he said.
During his 47-year stint, Greg has been given the opportunity to travel the world for work including the United States and Japan as well as numerous trips around Australia.
In later years, Greg has been in charge of AME’s engineering department for a period before running the all important maintenance unit.
Greg has fond memories of the founder of AME Systems, the late Peter Carthew, both as an employer and a friend.
“He was always good to go away with and there was always a laugh,” he said.
“Peter always loved to have parties or bus trips to places like Halls Gap at the Kookaburra Restaurant or Kryal Castle and the Moonambel Hotel,” he said.
Greg’s colleagues are full of praise for his good nature and professionalism.
“Greg is an absolute ledged and is the go-to person if you have any issues. He is unique and I feel, irreplaceable,” one colleague said.
In retirement, Greg has plenty of things to keep him occupied.
“I’ve got plenty of motorbikes to play with and there’ll be plenty of travelling around. I’ll be free to do whatever I want, whenever I want.
“We’re also going to Europe at the end of this year for six weeks. She’s (wife Sally) going to continue on (as an accountant), she’s six years younger than me so she’s going to continue on, she needs to keep supporting me, I’ve got a lot of bad habits,” he laughed.
Greg said the people working for AME were the companies great strength and the day to day contact with them is what he will miss the most.
“I will miss the people, but it has changed a lot. It’s very multicultural now, I don’t know all their names anymore but the staff are friendly, always smiling.
“To be here for 47 years, they’re good group of people to work for. Hopefully they’ll miss me.”
Read More: Ararat