Joe White has a long history in Ballarat and is now saying goodbye to the malthouse's longest serving employee, Jeff Harwood. Jeff started working at Joe White at the age of 17 and has spent the last 50 years working across the malthouse.

Below are further details about Jeff's impressive career, including the major technological changes that have taken place during his tenure. 

Congratulations Jeff, and best of luck in retirement. 

Joe White Maltings Farewells Veteran Maltster Jeff Harwood

Joe White Maltings has this year farewelled its longest-serving malt house employee, 50-year veteran Jeff Harwood.

Jeff started in the bagging lot at Joe White’s Ballarat plant aged 17, in 1974. His roles since then included leading hand, drum operator and finally roast operator, following the installation of roasters at Ballarat in the 1990s.

During his tenure, he witnessed major industry developments including the transition of grain transport from rail to trucks; the introduction of silos for grain storage; and the shift from manual handling to automated processes.

Joe White national project and asset care manager, Annette Weir, said Jeff’s career evolved along with the technological improvements at the Ballarat plant.

“Joe White’s history of manufacturing coloured and specialty malts stretches back almost 100 years, and Jeff has been with our business for more than half of that time,” she said.

“Today the malting process is largely computer-based and highly automated, but Jeff’s expertise dates from an era that necessitated a more instinctual approach to the craft. 

“He has an innate ability to judge by sight the quality of a batch of barley or wheat, and know instinctively how it will turn out after malting.”

Annette said Jeff was part of a generation when it was common for entire families to work at the malt house.

Jeff’s brother, son and nephews have worked at the malting plant, reinforcing the strong ties the company has with its local community.

“There are many employees still there today who Jeff worked alongside for 30-plus years,” she said.

“I’m only a short snippet in his career history, in fact I think he was taking his long service leave at the time I was born!”

Annette said the younger employees at the plant have benefited hugely from Jeff’s experience, expertise and historical insights.

“We are so grateful for his career-long commitment to malting, which has provided the drinks industry with high quality ingredients over the last five decades,” she said.

“He is highly respected throughout our business and will be very much missed as he retires, but we know he will enjoy the extra time he has to travel, play golf and see his grandkids.”