After 45 years of loyal service to the company and community, the local has decided to call it a day and drive off into the sunset.

"I'm keen to relax, travel with my wife in our van and enjoy my retirement with a fishing rod in hand," Mike said.

Mike played a crucial role in the history of the company that has proudly served the people of the Macleay Valley and Port Macquarie for 76 years.

He started work with Jack Dunn from Dunn's Cranes when he was 17 years old in 1975.

In those days there was only a handful of employees including Jack's son Mike Dunn and his daughter Geraldine Yabsley (nee Dunn).

He had a tough apprenticeship with Jack, based in the Kempsey Railway Yard near the old Ambulance Station with absolutely no creature comforts.

Dunn's Cranes purchased Mid Coast Cranes in 2001 and Mike's employment was transferred over from Dunn's to Mid Coast Cranes.

While Mike won't be directly working for Mid Coast Cranes anymore, he leaves behind a trove of knowledge he's gifted to new employees over the years.

"Mike is like part of the family, he has been on this journey with me since I was a young girl," Managing Director, Geraldine Yabsley said.

"Mike takes with him years of industry knowledge, and he will be missed by all here at Mid Coast Cranes."

In April 1944 Jack Dunn had a 3-tonne crane fitted to his prime mover which cost 400 pounds.

This was the beginning of Dunn's Cranes, they had the first mobile crane on the north coast and set up in the Kempsey Railway Yard.

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