Together they have notched up a grand total of 200 years service at Mai-Wel.
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Long serving employees Suzie Stuart, Raelene Wiseman, Grace Cawthorne, Helen Pickles, Derek Kenny, Gwen Black and Pauline Wormald have retired from their supported workplace after decades of dedicated service.
The longest serving of the group is Suzie with 42 years’ service.
“She started work at Mai-Wel in the old chicken room in September, 1972,” supported employee services and compliance executive manager Anne Hodgson said.
“Suzie came to Mai-Wel from South Street School.
“She is an extremely friendly person and became friends with the people she worked with.
“Throughout her years at Mai-Wel she has worked in nearly every business including TimeSavers.
“This year she moved to The Enterprise Centre.
“Suzie enjoyed her work and always did her best. She loved to greet visitors and was friendly to all around her,” Ms Hodgson said.
Raelene started work at Mai-Wel in May, 1972.
With only a short recess from work, she completed 40.8 years service.
For many years she worked at Mai-Wel Auxiliary Op Shop where she helped empty the clothing bin, sort clothes, iron and place clothes in the shop.
“A few years ago Raelene moved to TimeSavers where she enjoyed packing sample bags, doing mail outs and other duties,” Ms Hodgson said.
“She volunteered at another local op shop putting into practice her years of experience for the good of the community.
“Raelene was always a happy, eager worker,” Ms Hodgson said.
Grace has been at Mai-Wel since October 1981 and completed 32.9 years service. She worked in many Mai-Wel businesses.
She started in the chicken room and moved to TimeSavers in High Street, Maitland.
“Grace was a productive worker doing the chicken trays, packing the boxes and moving boxes to the storage shed. She enjoyed the variety of work at TimeSavers,” Ms Hodgson said.
“In recent years Grace transferred to The Enterprise Centre. Wherever she worked Grace had a smile and happy disposition.”
Helen began work at Mai-Wel in March 1982 and has retired after 32.5 years.
“Helen was another member of the chicken room. She was really good at this job and would get a great rhythm going collating the trays and the blotters.
“Helen loved to be involved with workplace fun and would often be heard enjoying herself with a loud squeal of delight.
“She was a valued member of the team and enjoyed her work at TimeSavers.
“When she moved to The Enterprise Centre Helen fitted in immediately and learned the new tasks associated with paper separating and shredding.”
Derek began work at Mai-Wel in March 1982 and has 32.5 years service.
Derek worked in The Enterprise Centre, a division of The Mai-Wel Group.
Gwen began work at The Enterprise Centre in 2006 after completing work experience, which she loved.
“Gwen immediately fitted into the work scene, became a friend to all and enjoyed all work assigned to her.
“Work was special for Gwen. She is a people person and the social aspects of work were something she loved.
“She was an employee who enjoyed her work and was a valued team member.”
Pauline started at Mai-Wel in November 2011 and also worked in The Enterprise Centre.
“She always had a smile on her face and loved to be in the thick of everything at work,” Ms Hodgson said.
“Pauline was a good worker and enjoyed the social aspects of being at work and making friends.
“She learned new skills and put these to good use at home, especially the skills she learned with the Clean Team.”