General News
30 October, 2024
Hardware hard worker
Warrack Home Timber and Hardware employee Colin Newell celebrated 30 years of service surrounded by community members, co-workers, family and friends.
Before entering the hardware field, Mr Newell drove a van for Streets Icecream - a job which saw him often away, travelling across the region.
The need for a change led him to his job at the local hardware store back in 1994, when it was still trading as Wimmera Mallee Timber and Hardware.
"Work is a part of life," Mr Newell said.
"I didn't want to always be away, and I was reasonably stable in Warrack.
"There just happened to be a job at the store then."
Mr Newell said when he began working at the hardware store, everything was still being done manually, without electronics.
"We had manual docket books, and had to make our own barcodes," he said.
"It was a big thing when computers came in."
Over the years Mr Newell has worked under three different ownerships, including Michael and Michelle Wentworth who owned the business for four years before the Wilken family took over.
"I've always had good bosses," Mr Newell said.
"It makes the job a lot easier when they're good to work with.
"They each brought something different to the place."
The Wilken Group took over the store in 2002, changing the business name to Warrack Home Timber and Hardware.
Looking back on his duties over the years, Mr Newell said he has "done it all".
"I'll do anything that needs to be done around the store," he said.
"I used to do the ordering, but I've stepped back on that one.
"I still do deliveries."
Mr Newell currently works part time, three days a week, leaving him time to attend to his many other roles in the community.
He is still heavily involved with the Warracknabeal Fire Brigade, and has said the owners have always been very accepting of his duties.
"They understand I might have to leave for a fire, and know I will come back," he said.
Warrack Home Timber and Hardware celebrated Mr Newell's 30th anniversary with the store by hosting a free barbecue lunch for the community.
Staff, family and friends were also invited to an intimate dinner at The General Store.
"I'm very appreciative of what they did for me," Mr Newell said.
"It was a very nice thing for them to do."
Mr Newell was presented with a recognition certificate and a watch to commemorate the milestone.