MOUNT Beauty’s Richie Kruezer is a true Aussie larrikin – a bloke with a heart of gold.

One of the longest serving members of North East Water’s operations team in Mount Beauty, Mr Kruezer retired recently after more than four decades looking after the town’s water and sewer systems.

While he has travelled overseas numerous times, Mount Bogong has always drawn him back.

“I feel the same way about Mount Beauty as Indigenous Australians feel about their country,” he said.

“You never forget the area you were born and raised in – it’s part of you.

“I’ve been lucky enough to have travelled overseas several times, but Mount Beauty always was and always will be home.

“As a kid, my window faced Mount Bogong and I’ve never, ever got sick of looking at it.

“It changes every day and I’m still mesmerised by it.”

A self-confessed jokester, he loves having a chat and sharing a laugh with the people he knows so well.

“I reckon it’s good to look in the mirror and have a bit of a laugh at yourself,” he said.

The spirit of community volunteering burns brightly in Richie Kruezer, too.

“I think people miss out if they don’t put their hand up to volunteer to help out their community,” he said.

“I’ve always believed that you get more out of volunteering than you ever put in.

“But, I love helping people and I find it hard to say ‘no’.”

It’s been a labour of love looking after the health of the community he loves.

The 61-year-old was just 20 when the manager of the Mount Beauty Water and Sewerage Authority, Barry O’Brien, knocked on his door in 1980 and offered him a job on a 16-week contract.

Those 16 weeks turned into 41 years and he’s seen remarkable changes over those four decades.

“When I started, we were not only water and sewer operators, but also cleaners and accountants and cashiers,” Mr Kreuzer said.

“I’ve seen mergers, huge changes to health regulations, and massive improvements in technology.

“My proudest achievement is the town’s new sewage treatment plant, whereas in the early days it didn’t meet odour regulations.”

He enjoyed the challenge of being a jack of all trades at Mount Beauty, looking after both the operational and the distribution sides of the authority.

“Country people like to speak to someone who lives in their area, so you become the local face of North East Water,” Mr Kreuzer said.

“It can work for and against you – there are times you have to let people vent their frustrations before they are ready to listen, so you need people skills.”

North East Water’s managing director, Craig Heiner, said Richie’s retirement was the end of an era.

“His service to Mount Beauty has been outstanding, with an absolute dedication to the town’s water and sewer systems,” Mr Heiner said.

“Everyone will miss his professionalism, his expertise, his selflessness and his amazing stories, which are all true, of course.”

Mr Kruezer handed over the reins to fellow Mt Beauty local and protégé Ethan Stripeikis.

COVID permitting, he is looking forward to more overseas travel with Gina, his partner of 20 years.

In the meantime, there’s more time to devote to his garden and his community, and for sharing a laugh on the streets of Mount Beauty.