Celebrating 125 years of service at Dalby business

A COMBINED 125 years of service has been celebrated a Western Downs supermarket, bucking the trend of unemployment in Queensland.

TIME TO CELEBRATE: Long serving Coles member Craig White cutting his cake to celebrate his years with the Dalby business. Picture: Contributed

FOUR hardworking Dalby employees have celebrated a combined 125 years of service for a popular supermarket chain, bucking the trend of unemployment in Queensland.

Having worked at Coles Dalby since the 1990s, Melissa Wolski, Sue Hurlock, Claudia Hoare and Craig White are all familiar faces around Dalby, with the store celebrating their outstanding service with a ceremony this morning.

The team has seen plenty of changes in store over the last 35 years, which included countless new products, store refits and new features, but they all agree the best change of all was the phasing out of hand-pricing individual items.

Long serving Coles Employees Claudia Hoare, Sue Hurlock, Craig White, and Melissa Wolski. Picture: Contributed

Starting her career in 1995 as a night filler, Mrs Wolski has worked in every department across the store during her 25 year tenure, and has risen to the challenge in her current position as bakery manager.

"I've been open to trying a bit of everything during my time with Coles, but working as fresh produce manager for over 14 years and now bakery manager have been two of my favourite roles," she said.

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"It has been incredible to bond with my fellow team members and our customers over the years, and many of them feel like family which is a really special feeling to have when you're at work."

Mrs Wolski isn't the only one who feels like her team members and customers are like family, with the other long serving workers paying tribute to the Dalby community for creating a friendly work environment.

State general manager Jerry Farrell with long serving team member Sue Hurlock. Picture: Contributed

Craig White will celebrate an impressive 30 years with the Dalby team, and has enjoyed working with the friendly team, and even his family.

"I work alongside my cousin, Ross Chiverton who has worked here for 26 years, it's always nice to have him here at work with me where I spend a lot of my time," he said.

"Back in 1990 I didn't expect I would spend the next 30 years working with Coles.

"I feel proud of my achievements over the years and look forward to the opportunities ahead of me."

Team members at Coles Dalby will celebrate the achievements of all four team members on Wednesday, 28 October 2020 with a morning tea and speeches.

Long serving Coles member Craig White cutting his cake. Picture: Contributed

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