I started in the customer service centre (CSC) in 1997, as a part time team member at 25 hours per week. I was a single mum and studying part time. I was team member number 25 and it was great working there - the people were amazing, it was like a little family. Though some of the conditions we’re less than perfect! I remember at one point we had no running water and had to go to the business upstairs to use the toilet!

Just before I started at Officeworks, I was completing my studies in HR operations and I was able to use my skills to train and coach new team members, which I did formally and informally for many years.

I continued my career trajectory with Officeworks, becoming a team leader, working in the resource office, rostering team members and continuing training and coaching. I also had opportunities to work on major projects, the ‘Mark project’, 2YK, direct works, a merger with Viking, a SAP upgrade and more.

When we moved the CSC from Oakleigh to the current location in East Bentleigh, we all felt so spoilt, everything was new and shiny and there was so much space!

When Wesfarmers purchased the Coles Group, I moved to the HR department and made new friends, then I was seconded to work on the IT web upgrade project, so back to the CSC I went. When the project finished, I was heading back to HR but the IT GM seconded me to the Chadstone store to work on an ePOS project.

While on the ePOS project I made more friends, and was then invited to join IT which I still laugh about - and again I took the opportunity and I made more friends! My time with IT has been project after project, and I love the variety of my work.

I love the people and friends that I have made, I love the opportunities I have been given, I love the culture of Officeworks and the fun we have every day.

I have so many memories from my time with the business - from the day a forklift came through the back wall of where I was training(!), arranging for Merv Hughes to visit during safety week, running fun internal events such as international food days, celebrating the Olympics, Officeworks style, packing toys for the Smith Family, or helping with Breakfast Club at local schools and more recently planting trees for Restoring Australia.

It’s meant so much to me to be part of this ‘work family’. I’ve celebrated birthdays, new babies, weddings, awards and sadly the passing of family and friends. The people I’ve met at Officeworks have become great friends.