How did you get your first job? What was it like?

I worked for a little while at Reeds in Chapel Street. It was like a small edition of Myer; I worked in the lingerie department. It was quite strange as a young person working in a place like that. It was nice in a way because I was dealing with things I would never be able to afford!

That’s where I learnt to be careful to put back items when I’ve finished with them. People used to just dump things on the floor when they were done with them! After everybody had gone, I had to fold everything up that people had left on the counter, and make sure that it was all neat and tidy again.

That made me realise how untidy people were when they go to the sales. Now I’m very careful when I go shopping to put things back where I got them! Even if I see something on the floor in the supermarket I’ll put it back where it’s supposed to go.

I also helped in the lolly shop in Fitzroy street. That’s where I learnt how to make beautiful milkshakes. I was allowed to eat whatever I liked when there were no customers, and I always got scorched almonds because they were the most expensive.

My first full time job was when I left school, at around 16. My mother saw an advertisement and took me in for an interview. I think it’s because she didn’t want me sitting around at home! It was school holidays and I thought I had the right to enjoy my holiday, but she said “No, you’ve left school, now you go to work.” And right from the very first pay, I had to pay board!

It ended up being a job at the Robur Tea Company. I’m not even a tea drinker! Not like Glenda. At the time I was a fully fledged typist - I had learnt all about banking, shorthand, all these useful things.

But they just made me a mailing clerk! I had to just type envelopes all day, put stamps on them and deliver them to the post office. It was boring! I thought, what am I doing here? I’m fully qualified! But overall it was good experience starting at the bottom. I only worked there for a few months, until my mother got me another job.

I take lots of things away from me from all those jobs. But most of all, it helped me to realise how much the workers have to do!