Jeanie Baxter is one of Gunnedah’s most familiar faces and it’s no secret why – she has been at the forefront of customer service for 35 years.
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The Gunnedah store manager of Coles is celebrating 35 years as an employee, with no plans to retire any time soon.
Current and former employees gathered at the Gunnedah Services and Bowling Club on Wednesday to congratulate Jeanie on her milestone, with a luncheon and cake cutting.
Jeanie moved to Gunnedah from Coolah in 1970 after marrying Gunnedah resident Graeme, who is now a plant superintendent at Gunnedah Shire Council.
Her employment began on November 9, 1981, at the age of 22, at Coles New World in Conadilly Street where Aldi is now located.
Coles New World bought Shoey’s, a grocery store at the back of the former Curlewis Farmers Cooperative building, and merged it with their store in Conadilly Street, re-branding as Bi-Lo.
Bi-Lo was closed on New Year’s Eve in 2005 and re-branded as Coles, with works beginning on a new store on Little Conadilly Street.
During the construction of the new building, the employees were given jobs in the Coles store in Tamworth, and when the new Gunnedah store opened in November 2006, Jeanie said it was one of her best moments.
Jeanie became a manager in her 30’s, an obvious candidate because of her wealth of experience in numerous departments.
“I stepped up and that was where I stayed,” she said.
“The time’s gone really fast.”
Jeanie said her role was “very challenging” but she loved being involved in all aspects of the store.
“I get a great satisfaction out of having a pretty good shop and I get the most satisfaction out of serving my customers, and I like knowing my customers,” she said.
“I just love coming to work.”
During her time with Coles, Jeanie has seen many changes in store operations, with technology having a massive impact.
“Computers have changed the way we do business,” she said.
“It’s all about technology.
“We used to do cheques through the checkout, now everyone has payWave.”
Jeanie said she started out in retail because jobs were hard to come by and she discovered a love for customer service.
“I’ve just got a wonderful team. I think the world of them,” she said.
“I couldn’t be where I am without them.
“It makes it much easier when you’ve got a good team.”
Fellow employee, Anne Spradbrow, has worked alongside Jeanie for 22 years and expressed her admiration at Tuesday’s celebratory lunch.
“There are so many memories I could share but the one that sticks out most is when the store was about to reopen 10 years ago and we walked down to the newsagents to buy some stationary and it took us almost an hour because everyone stopped [Jeanie] to talk,” Anne said.
“It was like walking downtown with a celebrity. It was amazing to watch and it still happens to this day.”
With 22 weeks of long service leave banked up, and more than three decades of employment under her belt, Jeanie said the best thing about her milestone will be receiving her badge for 35 years of service.
“That’s what I’m really excited about,” she said.
Outside of work, Jeanie finds great joy in spending time with her two children, Richard and Nikki, four grandchildren and one great-grandchild.
