Launceston law clerk turns 90, still working at firm

Born in 1931 and educated at Glen Dhu, Mr Roe remembers a time when Launceston looked very different.

"When I was a kid, the bread still was delivered by horse and cart. Milk was delivered to the back door - no refrigerators - maybe you had an ice box if you were wealthy, but we didn't," he said.

A drafter of legal documents, wills and leases, Mr Roe has witnessed the ever-changing cityscape of Launceston and the lives within it during his 64 years with the legal firm.

"I never intended to go as long as this - you just get up in the morning and go to work," he said.

Mr Roe started his long-standing position with the firm in 1957, moving from JW Cowan where he began his profession as a cadet survey draftsman at aged 16.

At Ritchie & Parker Alfred Green & Co, Mr Roe joined his father, Edmund Roe, who had been working there since 1912 and was himself contemplating retirement.

"He was just like me, working three days a week in semi-retirement. He'd been there for about 35 years," Mr Roe said.

Between father and son, the Roe family's collective time at the firm is over a century.

Mr Roe was most proud of the things he's built and maintained over the last nine decades, particularly his house, which was started in 1954 - and remains standing at the bottom of Granville Street at West Launceston.

"Besides laying the bricks, the plaster and the electric, I did everything myself. I drew it up. You can't do it like that anymore."

While handy with his new iPhone, Mr Roe was adamant that the information technology revolution may have passed him by.

"I don't even know how to turn the computer on because I didn't intend to keep on working. I was around retirement age when they first started being introduced," he added.

Despite that hindrance, he remains active with the company, preferring to do most of his work by hand and receiving IT help from secretary Heather Davis, help he appears very grateful for.

"I'll just draw it up. Quite frankly, if my secretary left there'd be no point in me stopping by here," he said.

Not content with working three days a week, Mr Roe also spends part of his time building frames for the Kim Roe School of Dance, which is headed by his daughter.

When asked what the secret behind his enduring health and vitality was, Mr Roe's answer was simple.

"I suppose it's just being active - I just love building things," he said.

If you have Tasmanian business, property or tourism stories, please email Joshua Peach at joshua.peach@austcommunitymedia.com.au

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