Our People: Celebrating 20 years at LPC

In December 2002, People Team Coordinator, Julie McHardy, answered an ad in the paper for a relief receptionist.

This month she celebrated her 20-year anniversary at LPC and has great memories of her time here.

“I applied for the position because I had three young children at the time and was living in Lyttelton,” says Julie. “It was a really lovely job and I had no problem being called to cover staff leave at short notice.”

“I would cover leave for the two receptionists, but I soon ended up relieving admin roles across the whole company – I was the LPC temp!”

Working in the Finance and Marketing and Communications teams, as well as covering for the EA’s and People teams, there wasn’t much Julie couldn’t do.

“I loved working in so many places, I got to know so many wonderful people,” says Julie. “As many people say, the people are my favourite part of LPC.”

Lesley Fleming, Chief People and Culture Officer, says Julie has such great knowledge of LPC and the Lyttelton community.

“She is an enduring and integral part of the LPC whānau who brings our values to life,” says Lesley. “Her dedication and knowledge of the business, particularly the Port, makes her a truly integral part of our team.”

Julie McHardy with the Community Watch Patrol in 2012.

Having been born in the Cressy House/Lyttelton Maternity Hospital and living in Lyttelton most of her life, Julie knew a lot about the Port and the community.

“I remember always being around the Port, I even learnt to drive along Cashin Quay backroad,” says Julie.

Some even say she was destined to work at the Port as she followed in her family’s footsteps.

Julie’s father, Maurice Gillard, was a Tug Master here for 37 years until he retired. He worked on the full range of Lyttelton Tugs from the Lyttelton 1 – when the Tug Masters would wear Captain’s Uniforms with white covers over their hats that would get covered in coal dust – through to the Blackadder and was even on the design and build project team. He was always very proud of the Blackadder and referred to her as a ‘little honey’.

Her grandfather, Peg Gillard, was a commercial fisherman in Lyttelton, Timaru and Akaroa and spent his later years working for the Lyttelton Harbour Board in the cellar gang, which was part of the Harbourmaster’s staff. Her Grandmother, Dot Gillard, was also the Lyttelton Main School Secretary when she was young.

Julie’s grandfather and father were featured in the Lyttelton Harbour Board staff newsletter in 1973.

Now her children are continuing the legacy, with her son Kieran working as a Launch Master/Relieving Tug Master and daughter Katie as an Executive Assistant.

The one thing she is most proud of is the Social Club Children’s Christmas Party.

“I had great memories of going to the Lyttelton Harbour Board picnics when I was young and wanted to expand the Children’s Christmas Party to reflect the activities,” says Julie.

“I’m proud to say I helped build it up to where it is today, it’s a great event that brings everyone and their families together.”

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