By Natalee Kerr
Geelong’s Edith Vasle started her first supermarket job when there were no barcode scanners or automatic packaging machines.
In 1969, the then 24-year-old worked at the deli department where she manually had to prepare and price salads and meats for customers.
“I can’t exactly remember my first day, but I do remember the aprons we used to wear and our little hats,” she said.
“We used to do everything manually but now it’s all computerised.”
Five decades later and shoppers at Cole’s Belmont may still recognise Edith’s face while getting their groceries.
Now 75, Edith celebrated her 50th anniversary with the retail giant this week.
“My plan was to work here for two years but then 50 years later I’m still here,” she said.
The mother-of-one worked full-time for 28 years as deli manager before going part-time after her husband had a stroke.
She is Coles’ longest serving employee in the region, and is one of 10 people to have joined the exclusive “50-year club” in the supermarket’s 105-year history.
Edith said she hoped to keep working for as long as she could.
“I’ve been asked a few times if I am going to retire soon, I say ‘no way’,” she said.
She celebrated her milestone on Thursday with an in-store lunch alongside her family, fellow team members and regular customers.
“I love my customers, they’re like family,” Edith said.
“They come in every week and you know exactly what they want.”
Store manager Michael Hogan said the long-serving employee has established a “fantastic” rapport with shoppers.
“Edith has so many customers that go out of their way to shop at Coles Belmont just to see her,” he said.
