Michael ‘Thunderbird’ Tan
Some milk, a trolley and plenty of fun
For over thirty years, Michael Tan brightened the Faculty of Business and Economics with his infectious joy and dedication as an office porter, where he became a cherished member of the team, known for his friendly demeanor, lively conversations, and unwavering commitment to the university community.
Every morning for more than thirty years, Michael Tan caught the train into work, bringing with him a smile and a joyfulness that instilled him as a beloved member of the Faculty of Business and Economics (FBE).
Between 1990 and 2022, Tan was an office porter around the Commerce building and the Spot, helping to fill fridges, clean whiteboards and keep everything running smoothly.
Every morning, he’d arrive at 8am, fill up his cart with everything he needed and move through the building level by level, chatting with staff and helping students, ticking off the jobs as he went. Looking back on how he remembers everyone at the Faculty, there’s one word that Tan uses: “friendly.”
Bowling in the corridors
When Tan arrived at the Faculty, Simon Bell had just started as an undergraduate. By the time Tan left, Bell was a professor, and he spoke about their memories of working together for 30 years.
Professor Bell loved the fleeting and sometimes surprising conversations the two would have before Tan swiftly moved on to complete his rounds of the kitchens.
Often, after Tan finished his shift for the day, Professor Bell and a group from Management and Marketing would head out for ten-pin bowling. For Michael, this was always one of the highlights.
“I miss going out with the marketing people,” he says.
No sooner than they had returned from one outing, Tan could often be seen practicing his bowling action in the corridor, asking when they could go next.
The Thunderbird Group
No conversation with Tan is complete without a discussion about football and his beloved Kangaroos. At some point over the 30 years, he earned himself the nickname Thunderbird, after his love of the British sci-fi TV series.
His closest friends in the faculty were honoured to be included in the 'Thunderbird Group,' a footy tipping competition that Tan organised. Each Wednesday night, Tan would handwrite the tipping slips for everyone, before depositing them in staff pigeonholes. After the round of footy, those whose picks had gone well would be given a prideful place on the leaderboard at Tan’s home.
Tan’s favourite dates on the calendar were the Faculty’s social events, most notably the Grand Final breakfasts and the Melbourne Cup celebration. Tan put a two-dollar bet on every year – and from time to time, he recalls, his horse actually won.
A vital part of life at FBE
Tan’s mum, Hazel, describes the importance of the work and the community that grew around him at the Faculty. After leaving high school, Tan worked odd jobs but had trouble finding a community that suited. Through the work of Tan and his family, his doctor, and a government job-ready program, he found a place at the Faculty.
The family, Hazel says, are very thankful to all the staff at the Faculty who made Michael feel accepted.
“It was wonderful, he really loved it. So much so, if ever he was sick, he’d still want to go to work,” Hazel says.
“He seldom missed it; it was very important to him.”
The Faculty was lucky that Tan didn’t miss much work. Phyllis Vellu, a long-time executive assistant at the faculty, says she rarely fielded more queries and complaints from staff than when Tan happened to be away.
“If Michael wasn’t there, the place fell apart!”
Tan’s passion is still there. He’s still got the checklists he used to use and remembers the best way to stock fridges with milk to ensure the previous carton got used completely.
Today, he’s not working, but spends his time doing computer classes to get his skills up. He enjoys playing on the computer, and helps his mum with the supermarket shopping and jobs around the house.
He still looks fondly on the time he spent working at the University of Melbourne and still refers to it as ‘his university’.
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