By Lia Bichel
MARGARET Scullion never thought she would end up working in a law firm, let alone spend 35 years at one.
But she has loved every minute of it and has no plans of retiring any time soon.
Ms Scullion recently celebrated 35 years with Macpherson and Kelley (M and K) Lawyers in Dandenong, a commercial law firm employing over 230 people across four locations in Australia.
She landed the job shortly after graduating from Business College at the age of 20, which was a change of direction from her high school dreams of being a nurse.
Since then, Ms Scullion has climbed the corporate ladder from a junior secretary, to estate and tax planning, to working with trust deeds, superannuation funds and formations of companies, and is now one of the firm’s busy law clerks responsible for filing and maintaining registration of more than 3000 trade marks, designs and patents for clients.
And she has made many memories along the way.
“I remember at the old building (on Thomas Street) in 1988, I came to work and it was flooded – someone had left the fire hose on in the stairwell” she said. “We all had to help with cleaning up and drying up the computers and wet files with hairdryers. The smell over time was terrible.”
Ms Scullion remembered being the “guinea pig” to test out the first electric typewriter.
“I can remember many people coming over to stand behind and watch, which was quite unnerving,” she said.
She has also watched as new technology such as computers, emails, mobile phones and scanners were introduced to the company.
The company’s Victorian managing director James Sturgess said he admired the changes she has coped with. He credited her for where he is today.
“When I first started she was my boss, so she must have taught me well,” he said.
“She has been fantastic with the organisation. She’s proficient. She’s an absolute delight to work with.”
Ms Scullion said she had gained a lot of skills and confidence from the job, and many of the qualities had rubbed off on her 27-year-old daughter Rebecca, who is a principal planner with the City of Casey but occasionally helps out at the law firm.
But instead of priding herself on her own achievements, Ms Scullion she said she loved to watch others succeed.
“I have seen a lot of people come and go over the years, and it’s great to see others move up at M and K,” she said.
“It’s like one big family here. I am treated well. I have no plans to retire yet, as long as I am happy and healthy – I will be working.”
