As the great-grandson of one of Bowra & O’Dea’s founders, managing director of the company  Joe O’Dea knew from the age of 15 he wanted to work in the family business.

Working in the state’s second-oldest family company for around 47 years he has watched society change over the decades.

Mr O’Dea told Julie-anne Sprague he worked his way up in the company.

“I was just like everybody else, I started from the bottom,” said Mr O’Dea.

“Today funerals celebrate people’s lives and that’s the most important part.”

Press PLAY below to hear Joe O’Dea’s inspiring story