John Francis Workman

Ruapehu Bulletin, Volume 14, Issue 650, 20 August 1996, Page 12

John Francis Workman

It was a sad occasion for the Waimarino District when John Workman, 46, passed away recently, after suffering

from a terminal illness. He was born in Raetihi and raised at 'Mangoihe' on Pipiriki Road and began his working life shearing, then worked in variety of occupations and businesses including retail butchery, shearing and as ownerdriver of a freight truck, then a logging truck; the latter in conjunction with the late Arthur McCarthy.

He moved to Australia in 1975 with his wife Lois and their family where he worked as a quarry bulldozer operator, starting a career that culminated in John being appointed southern area manager for Brisbane/Gold Coast Quarries. He became widely respected throughout the Australian quarrying industry, controlling eight extraction sites producing a full range of sand, metal and aggregate materials. The company, CSR Readimix had an annual turnover in excess of $30 million. He was a natural leader and was successful largely through his ability to bring out the best in the 200-strong team. John was able to instil principles of quality workmanship and good business practice in his workforce. A plaque is mounted outside the southern area office of the Brisbane Gold Coast Quarry, inscribed: 'J F Workman - 1985-1995 - Setting the Standard'. Mr Workman fulfilled a desire to return to New Zealand 1 6 months ago and accepted an offer to manage McCarthy Transport at Raetihi. In the short time he was with the company he achieved the full IS09002 accreditation for the entire operation. He instilled the Total Quality Management philosophy into the daily duties of all. He implemented a management information system including a detailed preventative maintenance schedule, recognised as unique by the road transport industry for its timely and accurate management reporting. He set up a subsidiary company to harvest the Waimarino Forest utilising equipment and concepts that are new to the industry. John was a great family man. He had a marvellous sense of humour, loved music and was a good singer and guitarist. John held strong moral beliefs, was firm but fair and had a heart of gold. John is survived by his wife Lois and children Dean, Kylee and Ryan, daughter-in-law Wendy and grandson Tom. John was the second son of Noeline and the late Tony Workman and brother and brother-in-law of Garrick and Maureen, Lynda, and Marie and Kevyn Scarrow.