Community
26 June, 2025
Well-deserved recognition
THE Terang and District Co-op has recognised staff members for their collective 300 years of service to some of the town’s most popular stores.
Staff members of the Terang and District Co-op IGA, Rural Store and Mitre 10 received Service Awards at a morning tea last Thursday, recognising their lengthy commitment to customer service and diligent work.
Recipients of the service awards were:
10 years: Fergus Lock, Belinda Byron, Laura Teal, Damien Ryan and Alex French;
15 years: Brianna Harris, Darren Gee, Melissa Hoey, Joella Hill and Gayle Haworth;
20 years: Jolene Bailey;
25 years: Janine Grinter and Linda Fuge and;
35 years: Paul Hay, Paul Bailey and Karen Hay.
Terang and District Co-op chief executive officer Gary Tempany thanked those who had reached milestones for their tireless efforts.
“Congratulations to all of them, and thank you for your loyal service and dedication to each of our members and customers over such a long duration,” he said.
“They’re all stalwarts of the Co-op who are recognised by many of our customers on an almost daily basis.
“Their service is appreciated.”
Mr Tempany said he was proud to see so many people who had found long-term employment opportunities with the Co-op, which he believed was a credit to the positive working environment.
“It’s unusual in this day and age to have so many people with this length of service,” he said.
“I think it does go to the culture of the Co-op in the fact we’re a community-based, community-led organisation which prides itself on being part of our community.
“These people and their length of service represent the Co-op itself.”
Among the staff members to be recognised was Paul Hay, who has been a welcoming presence behind the counter or delivering groceries for the past 35 years.
He said his favourite aspect of the work had been the opportunity to connect with members of the community.
“There are great people in our community, and in the job itself,” he said.
“For me it’s more or less the people – just talking to people.
“There’s been a lot of changes over the years.
“You see a lot of the kids growing up, which has made a big difference.
“It makes you happy coming in to work every day, which has probably been the main reason I’ve stayed around for 35 years.”
Mr Hay said the stores have also seen a lot of change over the years, but providing high quality customer service has remained a constant.
“There used to be hardware in the IGA when I first started, and we’d pack groceries in cardboard boxes,” he said.
“We’d burn the boxes in an incinerator out the back.
“There’s been probably five or six managers I’ve been through over my time – maybe I’m wearing them out.
“There’s been a lot of change but it’s been a good working environment with a good staff.”
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