Meet the A-team of South Hurstville.
This month, Merrilyn Young, Jenene Porter and Anna Naylor clock up a combined 128 years of working together at the same business.
Merrilyn has worked for 50 years at the business that is now called South Hurstville Market Pharmacy, Jenene has worked there for 40 years and Anna for 38 years.
Merrilyn, 66, started at the pharmacy in February 1969 as a 16- year-old.
“I can’t remember the date but it was a Monday,” she said.
Jenene, 56, started on February 14, 1979 and Anna, 53, on February 2, 1981.
“We have known some of our customers since we started,” Merrilyn said. “We have seen their children grow up and have children of their own.”
Over the years they have worked at the business for three different owners.
When Merrilyn started the business was run by pharmacist Max McKinnon.
“It was in a little shop on King Georges Road. Then the business combined with one further along the road and became Ropers Pharmacy and then this shop opened in 1978 as South Hurstville Market Pharmacy.”
Their boss, Paul Carey calls them the A-Team.
“We are like a tag team,” Anna said. When it gets busy they know exactly where each other is in the shop and what they are doing.
Anna said the secret of a good working relationship comes down to one thing: “Nights out.”
And there have been many of those over the year to celebrate weddings, babies and birthdays.
Jenene said it’s all about companionship and friendship.
All three went to Beverly Hills Girls High and Jenene and Anna have known each other since they were children, growing up as neighbours.
They will celebrate their long working life together with a dinner at Sealevel Cronulla in two week’s time.
And there is no plan to break up the A-team in the near future.
“I hope to keep working for a few years yet,” Merrilyn said.
“We have known nothing else I just like seeing all the customers.
“It’s lovely coming to work. And we do get on really well.”
