Listen: In the fast-paced world that sees many of us changing careers every decade or so, Mervyn's story is unique.

Mervyn Suarez, Gympie’s legendary north assistant station master is celebrating an incredible 60-year career with Queensland Rail.

Key points

• A regular feature of Mervyn’s days working for Queensland Rail has been catching up with the locals.
• “Make sure you put your hundred percent when you’re first there… and then every day listen to what other people say,” Mervyn says to people starting out.
• Listen to the full conversation in the player above.

In the fast-paced world that sees many of us changing careers every decade or so, Mervyn’s story is unique.

Mervyn joined Salt 106.5’s Jordana to chat about this incredible milestone.

A regular feature of Mervyn’s days working for Queensland Rail has been catching up with the locals – and enjoying the occasional sweet treat, with thanks to grateful travellers.

“They all talk to you in the morning,” he said.

“Say g’day, how you going, and you know, make sure you’re still okay and everything.”

A regular feature of Mervyn’s days working for Queensland Rail has been catching up with the locals.

Mervyn recalls “a couple of special old ladies that comes through every morning,” who he said, “always say g’day and with a smile on their face.”

And let’s not forget the sweet treats!

“Some of them bring a few chocolate breads… for all the crew here sort of thing.”

A highlight of Mervyn’s career was the day a carton of prawns and seafood went missing.

“[They] rang me up and said, “We’ve lost the carton of prawns.”

“Make sure you put your hundred percent when you’re first there… and then every day listen to what other people say,” Mervyn says to people starting out.

After pulling a few strings, the carton showed up – and the grateful recipient was sure to shout Mervyn a few drinks that Christmas!

Mervyn has some sage advice for anyone starting out in their career:

“Make sure you put your hundred percent when you’re first there… and then every day listen to what other people say,” he said.

“Listen to advice… and study hard and put [your] best foot forward.”

Listen to the full conversation in the player above.

Feature image: Photo of Mervyn Suares, photo suppled by QLD Rail and used with permission