Key Points
- Jean-Paul Sinclair migrated to Australia 60 years ago.
- He has worked for NSW Trainlink for half a century.
- Nicknamed 'Frenchie', he says he has no plans to retire any time soon.
When he applied for a job at New South Wales Government Railway (now called NSW Trainlink) in 1972, Jean-Paul Sinclair said he did not expect to still be working for the same company 51 years later.
Jean-Paul Sinclair being interviewed on the occasion of his 50 years of service at NSW Trainlink. Credit: Supplied
He said as a teenager, he wanted freedom and he was craving for new adventures and to have fun.
Two options were then on the table. North America or Australia. One of his friend’s experiences made up his mind.
"He went to Canada and came back just a few months later. It was way too cold over there," he told .
"So, I picked Australia instead. It was the dream county in the 60s ... Good weather and very few tourists."
A few years after moving more than 16,000 km away from home, a friend from Belgium asked him to join the railways so he simply applied. And that was it.
Jean-Paul Sinclair in June 1994. Credit: Supplied
"Passengers, colleagues … so many recognise me. My job is to help people. You point at where the ticket machine is, you answer questions about directions, you deliver general information.
"And sometimes they ask you questions that have nothing to do with the railways. And you try your best to answer anyway. You help as much as you can."
Jean-Paul Sinclair in August 1995. Credit: Supplied
There’s no better place to workJean-Paul Sinclair
Fifteen years ago, he was assigned to Central Station, in Sydney, a decision he said he had no regrets about.
"Central is my favourite station," he said.
Central Station is one of Sydney's major landmarks and a heritage icon. Credit: Simon Freeman / State of New South Wales (Transport for NSW)
Big seems right indeed. About 765,000 passengers pass through Central every week, according to Transport for NSW.
Central Train Station platform. Credit: State of New South Wales (Transport for NSW)
Still according to Transport for NSW, Sydney Metro will increase the capacity of train services across Sydney from about 120 an hour today, to up to 200 services an hour beyond 2024.
"There will be two new platforms in Central. More passengers will pass through every day. It is going to be amazing," said Mr Sainclair, already excited about the idea.
Macedonian Vesela Grujoska and French Jean-Paul Sainclair celebrating half a century of service. Credit: Supplied
Past memories
Just as he liked to think about the future, Mr Sinclair said he had a lot of memories.
"In the 1970s, steam locomotives had already given way to diesel and electric," he explained.
"Electric trains were used to commute within the city, diesel was about long distance.
"With my work, I went to Broken Hill, Brisbane, Canberra … that was a great experience!"
Jean-Paul Sainclair in February 1996. Credit: Supplied
"Riding the train is more relaxing than driving. There’s no problem, you can just rest and enjoy. If you’re tired, you take a nap, of course you can’t do that if you’re driving," he said with a smile.
The recent COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent lockdowns meant he hadn't been able to travel back to France for four years.
"Normally, I try to go back once a year. It is strange to see how both countries have evolved," he said.
"We can’t complain, we have a very good life here in Australia," he said.
I will work as long as I can.Jean-Paul Sinclair
No thoughts of retirement
Mr Sinclair said he wanted to work for as long as he was able.
"You must be able to work around the clock. Sometimes I do a day shift, most of the time I am rostered on the night shift. It is a 24-hour job," he said.
"If I don’t have a medical clearance next time I see the doctor, then I’ll stop. Until then, I keep working."
And when Mr Sinclair is not helping people on the Central Station’s platforms, he’s home, walking Bundy, his 12-year-old Staffordshire Bull Terrier, or doing sport.
"I walk the dog every morning in the eastern suburbs when I come home after my night shift. Then I go to sleep in the middle of the day," he said.
"When I do a day shift, I practise a lot of sport to stay fit. I used to swim. I meet plenty of French people who love surfing."
As for what's next, Jean-Paul Sinclair would not change his life for a thing.
"We will stay in New South Wales. We don't want to move," he said.
"I came to Australia by myself. Then I met Masako, and I married her 32 years ago. She's from Japan.
"We don't have any grand-kids but we have two kids, a boy Jean-François, 32. And a girl, Manon, 26. She still lives with us but she is getting married next year."
Neither of his children speak French or Japanese, he said.
"We tried to teach them when there were kids, but we stopped," confessed Jean-Paul.
"Jean-François learnt German in college, Manon Italian. But we all just speak English."
