Di celebrates 25 years serving in chemist shop

A Umina woman is celebrating serving 25 years in the same chemist shop.

Through her job, Ms Dianne Matthews said she had seen her community embrace the seasons of their lives, from children becoming young adults, to adults in their prime settling into their golden years and watched on as the pharmacy industry boomed.

Ms Dianne Matthews has been a shop assistant at Chemist Outlet Umina for the past 25 years, staying while the businesses changed hands and underwent a major relocation.

She said she could still recall those early days working the counter for Mr Bruce Bagley when the pharmacy was a Soul Pattison Chemist in the 1990s.

"Pharmacy was very different back then.

"It has become much more competitive now and there are so many more products to learn about," Ms Matthews said.

One such change Ms Matthews has enjoyed is the rise of vitamins and supplements.

Describing herself as a health enthusiast, Ms Matthews is shop's vitamin and wellness expert and has dedicated a good part of her career to learning about how vitamins can transform a person's health.

"I've been working in pharmacy for 43 years and during that time I've seen vitamins take off.

"Back then no one used to take them but now as the range of vitamins continues to expand and people become more aware of how important actively managing their own health is, they're really being embraced," Ms Matthews said.

"I love helping people improve their health.

"It's what's kept me going all these years and I love it when someone comes in and tells me the product I recommended made a real difference in their healthcare regime.

"It's so rewarding knowing you've helped improve someone's health, especially in close knit communities like this one," Ms Matthews said.

"I've got regulars who I first met as children who now bring in their own kids.

"You can't do a job like this for as long as I have without developing real relationships with the customers.

"It sounds cliche but they really do become like your own family," Ms Matthews said.

Ms Matthews celebrated her 25 year anniversary on July 28.

She counts receiving a Rotary Outstanding Customer Service Award in 2016 amongst her career highlights.

"I love doing what I do and I hope to be able to continue for many more years."

SOURCE:

Media release, 6 Aug 2019

Rosemary SURNAME, Chemist Outlet Umina

Interview (Dilon Luke), 13 Aug 2019

Dianne Matthews, Chemist Outlet Umina