07/05/2026
Apologies for my tardiness, this has taken a little longer then I would have liked..
Sadly, just prior to X- Mas last year we lost one of our own - don’t stress, no one died.
Our formidable front man Jarrod (Stretch) Hayes wound up what would be over a decade of service..
A brilliant effort, given the wide & varied work load we threw at him.
Stretch kicked off with us as an apprentice way back in 2009. Although he wasn’t our first apprentice he would become the first apprentice that made it through..
And after what is now over 21 years of business there has only been 2 others to achieve the same accolade.. A ripping effort given what he was often put through 😂!!
Stretch applied himself like not too many before him. He gave us overtime, weekends & a genuine desire to do his best & give his all. Every client sung his praises & every colleague wanted to roll with him.
He was an absolute dream employee & a champion bloke. Above all, a bloody good mate, a genuine & honest character..
And whilst he took off for a few years there, ultimately, he arrived as an apprentice & left as shop foreman.
He was (& still is I believe) a whizz in the kitchen.. Although he didn’t win the dessert challenge, he was extremely competitive & galant in defeat.
Ultimately Stretch is an employers “wet dream”. We are so fortunate to have had him help build everything Braybrook Engineering has become & assist with everything VIRTKL is becoming.
Stretch is old school, borderline illiterate (jokes mate 😂), would give you the shirt of his back & on a deeper level put his arm around your shoulder when you’re having a rough time…
We never viewed Stretch as an employee, he was & will continue to be a good mate…
Anyhow, as expected, the big fella is on to bigger & better things & we couldn’t be any happier for him..
Now the greater community gets a piece of Stretch. Finally he was accepted into the NSW fire brigade & rumour has it he’s kicking goals up there. Taking out a leadership award in record time.. No surprises here!!
Stretch has explained his ultimate goal is “June 27” in the annual naked fireman’s calendar & whilst I’m skeptical I wouldn’t be surprised if he pulled it off..
Lastly, Stretch’s Dad was a Fireman 👨🚒 in some capacity & sadly he’s no longer with us. I’m pretty sure the old boy would be proud as all that know him are.
Stretch is a hard worker, loving husband & doting father. I know his girls mean the world to him & I can respect the difficulty in relocating for the sake of the “greater good”..
That speaks volumes of man’s character..
He’s got a coupla rough nuts as brothers who are also champion fellas..
Stretch we love ya mate, don’t be a stranger & thanks for everything…
GOODLUCK with everything mate…
“Put the Billy on stretch”…..
🤙🏽😎
