Donvale’s Lyn Schiavello retiring after 35 years at Westfield Doncaster’s MyChemist store
She’s been helping Manningham shoppers with their health needs for more than three decades, but now one of Westfield Doncaster’s most familiar faces is bidding farewell. Find out why she’s calling it a day.
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She’s been piercing ears for about 35 years — and Lynette Schiavello has loved every second of it.
Ms Schiavello, the manager of Westfield Doncaster’s MyChemist store, is retiring on Friday, October 30, after more than three decades working at the centre.
The 57-year-old is known by customers as Lyn or ‘Lynnie’ and began working at the centre’s previous chemist fresh out of high school at 18 in 1985.
It became MyChemist in 1992, which is now part of the Chemist Warehouse group.
She lives locally in Donvale and has seen the chemist and Westfield Doncaster evolve.
“It just keeps getting bigger and greater (the centre), even our shop has expanded as well, we started off with half the size we had now,” Ms Schiavello said.
“Doncaster is a family friendly area making it a great place to live and work.”
Ms Schiavello said she had customers who she had known for decades and their younger family members.
She recently served a customer whose ears she pierced when she was pregnant with her daughter, who is now 37 years old.
“That goes to show how people remember stories and they keep coming back as well, that’s how loyal they’ve been,” she said.
“I’ve just loved it, I have a passion for it, and I love what I do and I love our customers and co-workers.”
Ms Schiavello said she wasn’t sure how she would spend retirement, but planned to take a rest after the “hectic” impact of the coronavirus outbreak.
“MyChemist has been my home away from home,” she said.
“I’m forever grateful and blessed that I work for a great company and fantastic people.”
Chemist Warehouse director Mario Tascone described Ms Schiavello as “a real icon” of Westfield Doncaster.
“Everyone knows her and she has a work ethic which is second to none,” he said.
“One of the reasons why our group has been so successful is we have had innovative staff contribute, and people like Lynette have brought great ideas to our business.”
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