Retirees stepping up to pick apples amid worker shortage MonMonday 5 Retiree Malcolm Hodgetts is busy picking apples in a Tamar Valley orchard. ( Share Print text only Cancel Former motor mechanic Malcolm Hodgetts, who turns 73 this month, had never picked an apple or carried out any farm work before the current harvest. Key points: One orchardist says the retirees are good workers An employment agency wants to see JobSeeker checks on those who fail to turn up for work The retiree, who also worked in the mining industry, decided to come out of retirement to help pick the apple crop at an orchard in the Tamar Valley, in northern Tasmania, that was desperate for workers.