Woolworths Supermarkets’ Post

When Woolworths team member Tamim Faizi fled Afghanistan in 2021, he never imagined the life he’d now be living. “I was born in Afghanistan, but in Afghanistan, I couldn’t find work easily. I was just studying and working sometimes in a hospital, but then I would come home, and every day I would worry about what's happening” he says. Landing in Australia in November 2021, Tamim faced the daunting task of rebuilding his life, while still separated from his family as they awaited their own visas. “It was difficult for me to learn the language, to learn about the law ... all the change. I started by doing an English class at TAFE, and then I tried to find a job,” Tamim, who works as a personal shopper packing online customer orders in the Rochedale Customer Fulfilment Centre (CFC) in Queensland, recalls. Australia, and Woolworths, offered Tamim an opportunity to carve out a new path. Through the assistance of Woolworths’ Refugee Employment Program, Tamim had work with Woolworths within three months, and a vital network to support his transition. “I’m here, I have a lot of friends, I'm happy, and the biggest change is that my mind is okay now,” he says. The Refugee Employment Program, launched in collaboration with Community Corporate, is just one example of how Woolworths, now in its 100th year, is providing opportunities for individuals like Tamim to start fresh with a sense of hope in their adopted homeland. Tamim is most proud of the English he’s picked up while working at Woolworths, and he cheekily drops Aussie slang into conversation, constantly referring to his workplace as ‘Woolies’ and laughing while delivering a pitch perfect “howzit goin’ mayte”. “When I started my work at Woolies, I couldn't speak English, and now I can,” he says. “I try to talk with the Australians working with me and I appreciate it, because they help me. When I'm talking and I say something wrong, or I give up, they say, ‘No, you can do it.’” Tamim's role at Woolworths’ CFC has provided him with much needed social connection and community. He’s also found kindness in his supportive manager Simone, who has given him a sense of belonging. “All Australians are beautiful,” he says enthusiastically of everyone he’s met at Woolworths. “They're kind and they're so happy, man. When they start their morning and are going outside, they are all smiling. This place is my dream place.”

When Steven Blair uprooted his life in Perth, relocating his young family 1200 kilometres North to Newam in Western Australia, he thought it would be a short-term adventure. Little did he know the impact he’d make in what became the most ‘fulfilling’ move of his life.  “An opportunity came up to do a relief in Newman for about two to three months,” Steven chuckles, reflecting on his first few months in Newman. “I really enjoyed my time up here and I applied for the role. It was a challenge for us. We had a two-week-old baby when we moved here. But my wife has joined mums & bubs playgroups, and the kids, the way they've adapted into the school environment, has been fantastic,” he says. In a mining town where the population ebbs and flows with the demands of work available, Steven’s sense of connection is what keeps the wheels turning. “Being in such a remote town like this, we have a population of 6000-7000 people. In the off season, we're looking at about 3500 people in town. With such changes, we really do become a bit of a consistent cornerstone of the community,” Steven says. Steven and his team have been hands-on these past 12 months through collaborations and conversations with local First Nations groups, such as the Clontarf and Stars Foundations, the town's chamber of commerce, women's shelter, local police and schools, and this has weaved the store into the fabric of Newman’s social life. “The biggest and most meaningful thing that we do is donate our time. In such a small community, I believe the best way to help anyone is just by showing up and listening to what they have to say and supporting them.” Steven’s dedication and commitment to Newman is a story Woolworths is proud to share as we mark our 100th year in operation. Looking ahead, Steven’s goal is clear: continue building a team that’s invested in the Newman community. As he reflects on the past 12 months, he’s optimistic about what’s to come and remains realistic about the challenges the Newman store faces. He’s managed to assemble a team that’s just as passionate as he is, and he’s set up a culture and infrastructure that will protect the community support he’s so passionate about. “To be honest, I've never felt more fulfilled in a shop before,” he says.

The year is 1968 and Beatlemania has gripped Australia. In the small town of Colac, Victoria, life is sweet and a 15-year-old Julie Finch is starting her lifelong journey with Woolworths. Julie wasn’t planning to start a career that day 56 years ago, she was just enjoying her summer holidays and shopping with her mum at the local Woolworths. But fate, and one determined manager, had other ideas. “A guy in the meat department asked if I would like a job,” Julie recalls, and with the curiosity of youth, she accepted it. Little did she know, this decision would place her into the heart of the Colac community. What was meant to be a three-day trial resulted with an instant job offer. “One day he said, ‘When can you start?” says Julie. Fast forward to 2024 and Woolworths is now celebrating its 100th anniversary in Australia, and Julie Finch is now one of our longest-serving team members. Her journey is a testament to loyalty and the deep connections that can be forged in the workplace. For more than half a century, Julie has seen the world change but her love for her job and the people she works with has remained constant. In 1968, Woolworths was a different place. There were no scanners at the checkout and certainly no online shopping. Julie recalls those early days with a fondness that’s hard to miss as she looks at old photos of that original store with her current store manager, Mark. “We'd have to hand-write all the tickets to put on the meat,” she recalls. From the introduction of barcode scanners to the rise of self-checkouts, technology has transformed the way the store operates, but the lessons from the early years remain. “The first day, the boss said to me, ‘If we're going to do it, we do it properly.’ And I do.” On the highlights of her job, Julie answers easily. “I think the main thing is the friendships I forged with people,” she says, referring to both her colleagues and her fellow Colacians. After working in the meat department for 54 of her 56 years with Woolworths, Julie now works in produce. The proud team member has formed close friendships with many of her colleagues and some are now lifelong friends. Her store manager, Mark, speaks highly of her, describing Julie as the heart and soul of the store. “Julie's well and truly part of the foundations of this store, and the foundations of the town itself. She is well respected and loved by all of her customers and all of her work colleagues,” he says. Reflecting on the past, Julie has advice for those beginning their career with Woolworths. “Do your best and if you don't know, just ask. That's what I was taught,” she says.

Every Wednesday morning, Rose Gordy and her Woolworths colleagues meet for a cuppa at Cafe 63, located about 17 kilometres south-west of Townsville. But their conversation drifts far beyond workplace matters. Rose is there to meet her mother, Ellen, and sister Dannelle – two of her fellow teammates from the Riverway Plaza store in Queensland’s Rasmussen. “The cafe is just outside the complex, so we go and sit out there before we start our shift,” says Rose, who has worked as a store services and compliance officer for the past 11 years. “I really enjoy sitting down with my family and seeing how Mum and Dannelle and everyone’s doing.” The Gordy family’s multi-generational ties to Woolworths extend even further. When she’s not at school, Rose’s niece Brooke handpicks online orders for customers at the Riverway Plaza store. Rose’s other sister, Charlotte, works in the Bakery at the Woolworths Willows store just 10 minutes down the road. Rose’s other niece, Kimberley, also prepares customers’ online orders at the Willows store between her schooling. Rose, who started at the Riverway Plaza store in 2004, credits the Woolworths Group for creating an environment that has supported the Gordy family for more than two decades. “It really means a lot,” says Rose. “Family is everything to me and I love having my family around me every day. I really enjoy what I do, and I really enjoy the people I work with.” Ellen, a team supervisor, is equally appreciative of the opportunity to nurture meaningful relationships with her family. “It’s wonderful, I love every Wednesday morning,” Ellen says. “On weekends, you hardly see each other outside of the odd gathering … everyone’s busy. [Wednesdays] are just such a wonderful opportunity to be with my girls.” Dannelle was the first Gordy to work at Woolworths, launching her career behind the checkout at the Riverway Plaza store in 2000. She ducked out of the workforce briefly to start a family and returned to work in 2010. Today she is still proud to work at the same store, alongside her mum and her sister. “It’s so good to have the extra support,” Dannelle says. “If you’re down or whatever, you’ve got someone right there to talk to. It’s that extra bit of comfort every day.” Dannelle adds that while her daughter, Kimberley, only joined the company in 2023, the teen is already gaining confidence as a result. “She’s more open to the world since working at the Willows store,” Dannelle says. “This is her first job, just like it was mine, and she used to be really shy. She’s opened up a lot since joining Woolies.” This year, as Woolworths marks 100 years since the first store opened, it's people like the dedicated and hardworking Gordy family who deserve to be celebrated. “I actually don’t start work until lunchtime on Wednesdays,” laughs Dannelle . “But I love being there early. I love having a coffee with Mum. Every day I come to work, I just love it.”

Eduardo Pena’s life isn’t just about crops and soil, it's about people. As Woolworths’ senior agronomist, he connects the business to farms and families across Australia. When Eduardo talks about fruit and veg, it’s not just with scientific precision. It’s with the warmth of someone who genuinely loves what he does. “It's incredibly important for Woolworths to have strong partnerships with our growers and suppliers. Working as an Agronomist at Woolworths allows me to build a strong connection with them,” says Eduardo. “I truly enjoy working alongside these businesses and families, getting to know them and understanding their passion, their challenges and successes on growing fruit & veg for Woolworths. These relationships are vital for ensuring we have a consistent supply of fresh and delicious fruit & veg for our customers”. Eduardo’s role is also deeply personal. “We obviously want to see the volume and the quality that is coming. But when challenging situations happen, like floods, bushfire, rain and hail, we want to work collaboratively with our growers to make sure they get the best outcome possible.” To combat these adverse conditions and promote sustainable crops, Eduardo is forging enduring relationships with growers, such as Michael Vorassi from Comfresh who supply Woolworths customers with top-quality produce, such as herbs, cucumbers and tomatoes. “With Comfresh, we're working on moving some products that can be grown in controlled environments, such as herbs, into glass houses.” As Woolworths celebrates its 100-year anniversary, Eduardo acknowledges all the business has achieved partnering with Australian growers, but also highlights the intricate work that happens behind the scenes or as he calls it the “incremental innovations”. It’s a focus on moving the fresh food dial forward, without sacrificing the quality that’s been achieved throughout the century. These innovations include the production of seedless fruit and vegetables and improving the flavour profiles of fruit and vegetables. He adds that his personal favourite “is tearless onions that don’t make customers cry when cutting them”. “The idea came about six years ago and it’s finally happened. Now I can see that we’ve made a difference. We call this product ‘Happy Chop,’” he laughs. To get an understanding of Eduardo’s nine years with Woolworths is to realise that behind every shelf stocked with fresh produce is a story – a story of farmers, of tradition, and of people who, like Eduardo, have dedicated their lives to ensuring the best produce ends up on our tables.

Since 2019, our team and customers have helped us collect one million period products in our stores for Share the Dignity. This year, we’re also donating $326,000 as part of our commitment to donate 5 cents from each period product sold in our stores during March and August, bringing the total donation to Share the Dignity to $2.9 million since 2019. Thank you to everyone who made it possible.

In the stunning green fields of Victoria’s Werribee South, a family's dedication to broccoli farming has flourished across three generations. The Elevatos have been supplying Woolworths with fresh, high-quality produce for the past 45 years. It all began with Luigi Elevato, an Italian immigrant who arrived in Australia with a dream. Luigi worked tirelessly to establish the foundations for what is today a thriving family enterprise. Luigi’s respect for the land is a passion inherited by his son, Tom, and grandson, Louis. "Growing up on this farm instilled a deep connection," Louis reflects. "It's an integral part of me. I'm honoured to uphold the legacy my grandfather and father established." Today, Louis represents the third generation of this remarkable farming family. Bringing fresh perspectives and youthful energy, Louis is dedicated to continuing the family tradition, keeping the quality of his broccoli top of mind and building upon his predecessors' achievements. Dedicated to innovation and sustainability, Louis is constantly exploring ways to enhance efficiency and minimise environmental impact. "We're not just farmers, we're custodians of the land. We have a duty to protect the environment and ensure sustainable food production for future generations." Woolworths is committed to working with farmers like Louis to provide Australians with the finest broccoli. “Family farmers are fundamental partners of Woolworths because of the passion, skills and expertise they’ve built over many generations, which ensures our customers have the freshest and highest-quality fruit and veg,” says Paul Turner, commercial director of Fruit & Vegetables. Tom's voice trembles as he speaks of his father, Luigi. "He was a man of few words, but he taught me everything," says Tom. "He always said, 'If you wouldn't eat it at home, you don't pack it.' That's our guiding principle." A worn vest and cap serve as a poignant reminder of their late patriarch, Luigi. Louis stands beside them. "I miss him every day," Louis admits. "He was my mentor, my friend." Tom observes his son with true pride. "Louis embodies the farming spirit. He learned so much from his grandfather and continues that legacy with excellence." The family's connection to Woolworths runs deep. "They've supported us through challenges like the drought. They understand farming's complexities and value our quality," adds Tom. Louis concurs. "We have a fantastic relationship with the Woolworths team. They're always there to offer guidance. They're true partners." Paul, who has learned a great deal working alongside the Elevatos, echoes this sentiment. “They are honest, straightforward and love what they do. Our farmers are passionate about growing the highest-quality food and work extremely hard in trying to achieve this.” As Louis surveys the fields, he sees his son Joshua, the fourth generation, exploring the farm. It's a vision of a family legacy thriving, supported by Woolworths. Tom Elevato

Ross Grillo has been the heart and soul of Hanwood-based Rinaland Farm since his father passed him the reins to the property at just 17 years old. A fourth-generation family-run business, the Grillos’ success comes from the most humble of beginnings when a then three-year-old Ross sailed to Australia from Italy with his family. Not speaking a word of English and with little money, Ross watched his parents, Domenico and Maria, pour everything into the farm. Ross still fondly recalls the first Woolworths buyers they partnered with 60 years ago. “Mr Bill Cullen,” he smiles. “He bought everything I had. He was a real gentleman who used to visit every three weeks and come over for coffee.” Treasured memories are woven into every corner of the NSW Rinaland property. Ross’ daughter and Rinaland quality manager, Annette Grillo, recalls riding on the back of her grandfather’s horse-drawn trailer and spending school holidays fruit picking. Ross, now 87, remembers long, summer days working on the land alongside wife Mary, now 84. As Woolworths marks 100 years, our relationship with the Grillos remains a treasured one and the family says they are proud to be supplying their high-quality oranges, grown with care, for customers across the country. It’s a sentiment echoed by Ross’ son-in-law Gary Snaidero, Rinaland’s sales manager. “Woolies makes us feel special,” he says. “Without them, we wouldn't be where we are today. We're proud as anything to be able to say we supply to them.” And no matter where the family travels to in Australia, they’ll make a beeline to the nearest Woolworths to check out their delicious oranges. “We can’t help it,” laughs Annette. “We get a real buzz seeing our stock in store, it’s a big deal to us.” Creating strong bonds is at the heart of Rinaland, where the farm’s staff – 40 in the packing shed and 12 on the farm – feel like an extension of the family. It’s a core value Ross’ mother Maria embedded into the farm’s DNA from the start, and remains strong today. Giving back to their local community through hampers, food donations and sponsoring local charities is also important to the Grillo family. “Ross knew how difficult it could be to get a meal on the table, so he's big on helping people out and giving them a go,” says Gary. While you won’t find Ross working on the land anymore, he knows the future of Rinaland and their ongoing relationship with Woolworths is looking bright. He has high hopes that his grandchildren, and hopefully great-grandkids, will carry on his legacy, so the next generation of Aussies can experience their incredible produce.

As a third-generation dairy farmer, Nick Mignanelli is passionate about the health and welfare of his cows – so much so that he says his herd “probably eats more of a balanced diet than I do”. Most mornings, Nick rises at the Verde Valley in Hindmarsh Tiers, South Australia, at 3.30am, the same farm his grandparents purchased when they relocated from Italy to Australia in the 1950s. By the time 4am comes around, Nick and his team have their hands full. “It never ends,” he says with a cheeky laugh. It’s hard work, but he wouldn’t have it any other way. Growing up, Nick says he barely had a second to stop and think about stepping into the family business, but he recognises the opportunities it has afforded him and the dedication his family has poured into it. “My grandparents, I’m proud of their story, I’m proud of their work ethic, they mean so much to me. They’re amazing people and to have the opportunity to step into their shoes and take on this work, it means a lot,” he shares. Today, Nick is cementing his legacy by spearheading innovation at the farm, and despite some initial hesitation from his family, he is proudly improving the wellbeing of his cows and the quality of his milk. In 2023, Nick was a recipient of Woolworths Group’s Dairy Innovation Fund, a moment that he says changed everything. “It’s been amazing to have had Woolworths’ support over the years, specifically via the grant, because it really did wonders for our business,” he shares. “I honestly don’t think I would be farming today if I didn’t get the grant … there were a lot of things going on in life at that moment, and I thought, ‘If we aren’t going to be able to innovate, this isn’t where I want to be.’ The grant kept me here and now we’re kicking goals.” The funds helped Nick improve the efficiency of herd health and milk production on the farm, including the purchasing and installing of automatic cup removers and rumination collars. “Bringing innovation to this farm has been really bloody rewarding,” Nick says proudly. “It’s all helped us have a safer business and we’re also able to run things at a far better standard.” It’s not just the cows benefiting either, Nick says the promise of industry-leading technology and innovation has helped attract incredible staff who all want to “have a play with tech”. As Woolworths celebrates its 100th year, Nick says he hopes the future of the partnership continues to be focused on innovation. “New ways of working, innovation, it helps everything. It helps with those long hours … now I can be anywhere in the world and just have to check the app, and I can see where every one of them is at. That’s a game changer,” he says.