Taylah Eastwell
2020 was the year of panic buying, store limits and crowds busting through the door at opening time, reaching for the toilet paper before it had even hit the shelf.
But if the Covid-19 supermarket chaos taught us one thing, it was how much we value and appreciate our essential supermarket workers.
Ferntree Gully Woolworths Store Manager Melissa Micallef recently had her hard work and leadership ability recognised on a national level, taking out the title of Store Manager of the Year at Woolworth’s Team Member of the Year Awards.
Ms Micallef said it took her by surprise to have been nominated by her team.
“It’s so humbling to receive this recognition, but in all honesty, I could not have done it without the team. We really operate as one and make it a priority to look after one another and our customers,” she said.
Ms Micallef has worked for Woolworths for 26 years and has managed the Ferntree Gully store for three.
“One of the team members who nominated me was an 18 year old boy, so I’ve obviously had an impact on him at some point and I think that itself is pretty amazing,” she said.
The team at Ferntree Gully Woolworths described their manager as a giant among leaders, who worked tirelessly to calm customers and team members during the tough times this year.
When asked how she manages her team of over 190 employees, Ms Micallef said it is her people skills and absolute love for her job that sees her through.
“I think it’s my people skills. I love getting to know people and what makes them tick, and the only way to do that is by getting to know the individual.
“I think it’s amazing because, generally when you’re an adult you’re working with people of similar age or similar interests, but we work with people who are 15 and we work with people who are 70. I never imagined I would be doing this when I was in high school but I love it and I can’t even imagine doing anything else,” she said.
Ms Micallef said 2020 was a challenging year, but her team worked together to get through the tough times during the pandemic and also the disruptions with their recent store refurbishment.
Having won a $10,000 travel voucher at the awards, Ms Micallef now has the luxury of deciding where in the world she wants to travel for her next overseas adventure.
Ms Micallef was up against managers from each state of Australia, with the decision made based on overall store performance and voice of the team results.
Woolworths Victoria General Manager Andrew Hall said Ms Micallef is a trusted mentor and inspiration to many team members.
“Our goal is to bring a little good to everyone, every day and Melissa has lived that purpose over the last 20 years and made a lasting and positive impact at Woolworths,” Mr Hall said.
