General News
26 September, 2025
High praise for valued employee
A Horsham-based family business reluctantly farewelled one of its valued employees, with high praise for his outstanding commitment to their company.
"When people think Waste Busters, I'm sure they think Bob Jennings, before they think Mick Morris," they said.
Bob Jennings is a quiet achiever and not keen to talk about himself.
After almost four decades of service, he just wanted to fade into retirement with no fanfare, but that was not to be.
Owners Mick and Michelle Morris had other ideas; so with some encouragement and a firm word here and there, they talked him around and even got a photo.
"My wife said last night we have to do something special for Bob; it is such an achievement, and he has been such an important part of our business for so long," he said.
"I told her I knew exactly what Bob would say: 'No!'.
"He told us this morning he didn't want a fuss, but we believed it was such a great story that he should be recognised for his work ethic, his dedication and his contribution to our business.
However, Mr Morris said he wanted to publicly and sincerely acknowledge how Bob was an integral part of their business.
"I know he didn't want a fuss and he'll be embarrassed, but I think he'll appreciate it and secretly be smiling on the inside," he said.
Mr Jennings was part of the business for almost all of its four decades in operation.
"Bob started working for the business with my Dad in 1993 and worked for him for 21 years," Mick said.
"I wasn't working there then, but after my Dad died in a car accident in 2004, I decided to take over the business and keep it in the family.
"Dad set a high standard from the beginning, and we have maintained the high standard.
"When Dad died, it was a difficult time for our family, and it was Bob who kept the business going while we were grieving; he ran it like his own, and we'll always be grateful to Bob for that."
Mick said he believed that if his Dad were alive today, Bob would still be working for him; they got on well and worked well together.
That relationship has continued with Mick and has been an integral part of the family business's ongoing success.
"Bob has a great work ethic; he turns up and shows up," Mick said.
As for a title, Bob has held various roles, including overseer, staff manager, data processor, truck movement planner, motivator, and leading hand.
His commitment to working with and training staff, especially those who have faced barriers to employment, has been commendable.
"He works side by side with them, and it's a win for everyone," Mick said.
Bob's day usually starts at 6am when he collects the cardboard from the supermarkets; rain, hail, or shine, he's there to pick up their cardboard, and it's that reliability that has earned him the respect of local businesses as well as his employer.
"He has been a great example to our team, and has always been reliable; he gets the job done, and it's always to a high standard," Mick said.
With extensive knowledge of the industry, Bob has been a valuable part of brainstorming efforts during his 38 years, as the industry evolved from kerbside collection and manual sorting to the current recycling model.
"Bob has been such an important part of our business growth," Mick said.
Mick said not many people stay in the same job for almost four decades, and not many employers have staff stay that long either.
He said their family was proud to have had Bob with them for almost 40 years.
"Bob has been like one of the family to us, and we are sad to see him go, but we also know that the time is right for him, and we are pleased for him," Mick said.
However, Mick admits Bob's last day will be a sad one, but he looks forward to Bob dropping in for a coffee from time to time.
"He's been such an important part of our business for so long, it wouldn't seem right for him not to be here from time to time," Mick said.
Bob leaves big shoes to fill, but he has been training his successor for the past 12 months and is confident he leaves it in good hands.
"We'll miss him; we can't speak highly enough of him and what he has meant to us, but we wish him well," Mick said.
"He's been a real blessing to our business and our family."