Cootamundra Woolworths indebted to four long-serving employees

“It was absolutely beautiful … it was a real privilege to work at a new store.” Mrs Finucane said. 

She, along with Brenda Chapman and Jeannie Deece have worked at the Cootamundra store from the day it opened back in July of 1986. 

Leisa McGaun, another long-time employee has also reached the 30 year milestone. 

She started working for Woolies in Cowra then transferred to the Cootamundra store 18 months after it opened. 

All four women have fond memories of the store’s early days.

“There were friendly people everywhere,” Mrs Finucane said. Having worked at the store for such a long time the ladies have some interesting tales to tell. 

Mrs Deece tells of the time the store was evacuated on a Saturday afternoon because a customer had set a chlorine fire on one of the shelves. 

“We had to dump everything from the deli, the bakery and fresh produce and leave,” she said.

“Because customers left so quickly there were trolleys full of groceries all around the store the next day … we had to come in on Sunday when the store was closed and re-shelve them.”

Mrs Finucane remembers when she discovered a little boy who had hidden in the store after hours to play with the toys. 

Fortunately, “he found his way home,” Mrs Finucane said. 

Since the ladies started work the store has undergone a lot of change. 

“It has been refurbished twice but it’s not too dissimilar,” according to Mrs Deece, with the fresh produce section moving from one end of the store to the other. 

The opening hours have changed as well.

Initially the store closed at midday on Saturdays and didn’t trade on Sundays. It then slowly began to extend its hours and now it is open early til late every day of the week. 

The biggest change though has been technology.

“Everything is computerised, there’s less paperwork,” said Mrs Deece.

From self-serve checkouts to automatic payroll, computers are a huge part of the store now which can be a blessing when they work but a real curse if they decide to pack it in. 

The ladies have stuck it out through all the changes and the experience of working at Woolworths for such a long time has proved thoroughly enjoyable.

“The friendships formed are the best part,” Mrs Finucane stated.

Having had such a positive work experience, none of the women plan on moving on from Woolworths just yet.