RE the Leader Flashback ''A Supermarket revolution'' (October 2).
It is with great interest I read this article as I was an employee of Woolworths at Sutherland, where I worked till the early 70s.
I was employed as a stock hand, originally at Woolworths at Kingsford, as I progressed in the company, I was moved around approximately six different stores, Sutherland being my last store.
I married a Woolworths girl from Kingsford and when I was relocated to Sutherland, we bought a home in the shire, (Glencoe Street) while employed at Sutherland.
My threee daughters - Cassandra, Deanne and Trisha - were born and all attended shire schools and married men from the shire.
Sutherland Woolworths, had both a variety store and a food hall. Full time employment in both stores were around 20to 25 people, and many casuals were employed on the weekend.
Sutherland was a different place then (60-70) some places long gone now were Stapletons Butchery, two fruit shops, Ampol service station (were Cripps and Crips are now) Safeway and Chatters haberdashery where most of the school uniforms were bought for the local schools of the shire.
We had our own ambulance station (where Stewarts Saddlery was) the picture theatre in Boyle Street (this was used as our local police boys club ) - my list and memories could go on.
There have been many changes, not only at Sutherland itself, but in the whole of the shire over such a short period of 50 years.
I wish Woolworths well in there venture at ''the brick pit''. A full circle has been turned since the opening of Woolworths at Sutherland.
Reg South, Sutherland
Thanks to Doug Champian for his contribution to "When banks had ink wells" (Leader Flashback, September 16).
I relived beautiful memories of the good old days too. Especially when he mentioned Fred's ham and beef shop in Sutherland. Ah! They were the best times. Fred's shop was known as "Hayhow's Ham & Beef Shop". The aroma of all of his delicious ham; he would carve off the fresh leg each time for you, plus a variety of tasty goods including fabulous block cheese which he would cut for each customer fresh from the block.
In those days butchers used fresh sawdust on the floor, which absorbed any spillage,if any, and everything was fresh and wholesome.
Then there was Lou's Fruit Shop, the aroma of the quality produce greeted you before you entered the shop. We also had milk fresh from the local dairy and lovely cakes and crusty bread baked on premises.
Yes, there were church bells ringing and roosters crowing. We loved the life of the good old days.
Emily Newton
