Celebrating three decades at the front

AFTER thirty-one years, Trevor Petrie Real Estate’s Carmen Simkin is retiring from her role as Saturday morning receptionist.

Finishing at her other part-time financial planning job in May, Ms Simkin decided it was time to hang up the Petrie office phone too.

“When I first came to Ballarat in 1985, I met Trevor and worked with The Professionals. I loved real estate,” she said.

“I went into financial planning, and I helped Trevor out when he needed a bit of help, and just stayed on because no one wanted to do Saturday mornings.”

Working the weekends didn’t worry Ms Simkins one bit.

“I rather enjoyed it. I continued because Trevor Petrie Real Estate was such a nice place to work, I love people, I love the landlords, the tenants and the staff.

“I was always the oldest everywhere I worked, but being involved with younger people keeps you young,” she said.

It is unusual, in Trevor Petrie’s opinion, for someone to stay in one role for so long, especially in real estate. He said Ms Simkins has brought so much warmth to his team, and they will miss her greatly.

“She’s the most vibrant, bright, cheerful person that you’d ever meet. She always dresses in bright clothes, she’s always happy, she’s very diligent, and just good fun in the office,” he said. “People loved her at the front, she created conversation.”

Looking ahead, Ms Simkins is excited to continue her involvement with Probus, her volunteer work at BRICC, and on the welcome team at the Base Hospital. She’s also the Treasurer of the Inner Wheel Club of Wendouree.