LOCAL LIFE
Mac ’ s Hire to close its doors by Greg Martin
We lost the Riverstone legend that is Bill McNamara in July last year and now his last remaining link – not from our memories of course – will depart his beloved hometown next month .
And that is the closure of Mac ’ s Hire which , since 1991 , has served the community – it was the place where builders , handymen ( and women ) could hire anything from an earthmover to a lawn mower .
Bill ’ s six children , all now with snow in their hair , made the anguished decision to sell the property on the corner of Loftus Street and Railway Terrace .
Every item in the business will be auctioned by Grays Online at the end of March , while the two acre-property , which is home to five factories , will go under the hammer in July .
The business will close its doors on February 28 , leaving manager , Robert Ables and his five employees seeking new ventures .
Robert , who has managed the business for the past 10 years , was clearly emotional when he was recounting his long association with Mac ’ s Hire which kicked off with his indenture as a mechanic back in 1980 .
“ That was with McNamara Group Joinery which operated at the site until Bill opted to hire out all the machinery he had accumulated while McNamara Group was one this state ’ s major building operators ,” Robert said .
Robert Ables ’ 45 years association with the McNamara Group ends on February 28 when Mac ’ s Hire closes its doors for the last time . Photo : Kathryn Johnston .
The McNamara Group delivered many large developments that have shaped both Blacktown and Western Sydney over the past 50 years .
Bill ’ s business built WestPoint Shopping Mall at Blacktown , Marketown Shopping Centre at Riverstone , Mount Druitt High School , Riverstone Schofields Memorial Club and Blacktown Aquatic Centre .
Other major projects built by the group included Parramatta structures such the McNamara Centre , the Octagon , the United Permanent building , the Parramatta Cultural Centre , the J . A . Fleming Stand at Rosehill Racecourse and the Riverside Theatres .
Despite his sadness at the upcoming closure of Mac ’ s Hire , Robert is confident he and his expert staff ’ s working careers will continue .
“ But before I get back into harness , my wife Julie and I will go a-caravaning around our wonderful country ,” Robert said .
“ We recently purchased our first caravan and there ’ s no way we ’ ll be letting grass grow under those tyres .
“ It will obviously be heart-wrenching when we close the doors , but the joy of working with a great staff and serving our clients will remain with me forever .”
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