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Deirdre Fairbairn has been serving Coogee locals for the last 33 years, and today she’s put on her Woolworths name tag for the very last time. She spent her last day of work before retirement receiving flowers and hugs from customers.

 

In 1990 when Deirdre started, the Coogee store was operating as Flemmings, and later became part of Woolworths. As a mum of three young boys at the time, she said she enjoyed the role, “I didn’t have to think about the kids - I got to just be me again when I was working.”

Reflecting on the moments that will stay with her, Deirdre talks about the support she received from customers and her store team when her husband passed away 18 years ago. She was touched and surprised when, at his funeral, they had to block off the street to accommodate the hoards of Woolworths customers who had turned out to support her and her family. “My husband would have been so embarrassed!” she says.

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“The funniest thing I remember - that gets my heart a bit - was a little boy who used to come in and he painted a portrait of me and entered it in the Young Archie. It was even hung in the Art Gallery of NSW!” 

Deirdre works at the check-out and is always making conversation with customers. She makes an extra effort to engage the kids: “If the kids are kept happy while they’re shopping, then their parents will be happy too!” She’s seen many of those kids grow up, and some will now come in to shop and ask for a selfie with her to show their parents.

Child's drawing of Deirdre

During COVID, Deirdre was supported to take leave because she was in a higher-risk category due to her age. “I found out that a young boy thought I’d died from COVID because I wasn’t there anymore! So I wrote him a letter to make sure he knew I was fine.” 

She says customers often also confide in her. “When customers are unwell, or they are going through a difficult time, they will sometimes open up to me.” She remembers what they tell her and will always check-in to see how they’re doing.

The owner of the local kindergarten, Miri, has been shopping at Woolworths Coogee for 39 years and says Deirdre is the reason she shops there. She brought Deirdre flowers to farewell her today. Dozens of families have sent their children to Miri’s daycare centre after being referred there by Deirde at Woolworths. 

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Deirdre’s store manager Mohamad Boussi says that Deirdre has shaped what Coogee Metro is all about. “She’s been here from the start and she’s a joy to work with. Her positivity always boosts morale and her smile rubs off on all of us. We’re going to miss her.”

For those thinking of a career in retail, Deirdre encourages them to go for it and to be themselves.

In retirement, Deirdre plans to spend more time with her grandchildren - but she’ll likely be kept busy by the many invitations she’s received from customers over the last week to join them for meals and beers at the pub.

Team members like Deirdre make Woolworths far more than a supermarket - they create neighbourly bonds that endure for years. We’ll miss you Deirdre. Thank you for an incredible 33 years of service. You are one of a kind.

Read more about what goes on behind the counter at Woolwoths Group on our blog - Check it out.

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