Celebrating 30 years

It's celebration time for Carol McIntyre and she celebrates 30 years in the butchery department. Photo/Carmen Hall

Carol McIntyre never imagined she would spend 30 years in the same job.

But today the 70-year-old is celebrating three decades after a two week stint in the Woolworths butchery department turned into a fulltime vocation.

She originally got her foot in the door in 1988 helping to mark up goods after GST was first introduced and then she was talked into becoming a 'floater' helping out across all departments.

But when a meat assistant from the butchery department wanted two weeks off Carol jumped at the chance.

"I was just filling in for a girl but she never came back so I'm still here. The time has just flown by.

"I don't know where the last 30 years have gone. They've certainly crept up on me."

Changes were inevitable and Carol has seen her fair share including the refurbishment of

Countdown Bayfair, merging with Countdown Girven Rd, and the transition from Woolworths to Countdown.

The journey has been interesting, she says, and really enjoyable.

"I've made some great friends here and we are just like a big family."

Her boss Mark recently rejoined the team, and she has a great relationship with him. "Just when I think I've got rid of him, he's back!" she jokes.

After working solid 40 hour weeks for 25 years, Carol has slowly pulled back and now does 16 hour weeks.

In her spare time, she loves gardening, reading, walks on the beach and is a self-confessed puzzle addict.

Countdown Bayfair store manager Dax Ryan says experienced workers were invaluable and a real asset.