Gunnedah's fruit and vege man is celebrating 30 years with Woolworths.
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Raj Mudaliar is a familiar face in the produce department at the local supermarket and can often be found in conversation with customers.
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The Fijian moved over to Australia in 1989 and lived with his aunty while he completed Years 11-12. On March 16, at the age of 17, he started in parcel pick-up at Woolworths in Gosford.
"People used to buy groceries and I'd put them in their car boots," Raj said.
"That was big in those days."
Raj worked in numerous departments over the years including the bakery, liquor, produce and customer service. He also worked at the Tuggerah and Woy Woy stores.
You get to know people, especially in a small town like this.
- Raj Mudalier
In 2004, Raj, his wife Wendy, and their four girls, Chelsea, Chloe, Candice and Rose made the move to Gunnedah and Raj started working in the local store.
"We just moved the whole family here. We'd never been here before," Raj said.
"It was in the middle of a drought like this but we love it. We like the country life."
Raj has now been in the Gunnedah store for 15 years and overall, has worked in produce for 17 years.
It suits Raj who grew up working on his family's sugar cane farm where they also grew their own vegetables.
Raj has watched as technology has changed the way supermarkets operate, and said with daily deliveries, the store had reverted to a "daily display" compared to the packed shelves of the past.
One thing he has noticed over the years is the increase of locals asking for produce by other names because they've heard it on TV shows.
Ever-positive, Raj says he has "never had a bad day" at Woolworths and enjoys his job.
"It's a good company to work for. I like the customer service, directing people and helping them out," he said.
"You get to know people, especially in a small town like this.
"Some people come in three times a day, for every meal."
Raj's anniversary was celebrated by staff on Friday and store manager Alastair Hulley said the local was "reliable and loyal".
"He does a sensational job and the customers love him," Alastair said.
