Committee for Lorne: Community Profile – February 8, 2018

Oh how glad we all were to have petrol flowing again in Lorne. And aren’t we lucky to have Sam as manager of the smart revitalised Shell Petrol Station. Although she commutes daily from Inverleigh, she loves the daily drive through the Otways to Lorne. “It’s such a lovely place, it’s not hard to come to work.” Sam is enjoying getting to know the locals and appreciates their kind comments about the difference she has made. She also enjoys chatting to the tourists passing through.

Born, bred and educated in Geelong and somewhat vague about a career path leaving school, Sam started work with Rip Curl in Torquay. She moved to Queensland to another surf gear factory where she worked for three years. On her return she got a job with a textile company in Geelong, working in various departments for the next five years while she and her husband built a house in Inverleigh. A family crisis saw her quit that job and become a full-time mum for the next 12 months. Sam took on school crossing lady duties and began a Saturday evening shift with Riordan’s Fuels. After two years her competence was rewarded by an appointment as 2IC, followed a year later by a full-time job in Geelong. When that location was sold ,she began working split shifts between Inverleigh and Lara until 18 months ago, when she became inaugural manager of Lorne Shell for Riordan’s Fuels. “My boss warned me the Christmas period was a crazy time so that’s what I was expecting. Although I would have to say it wasn’t quite that bad, it was nuts. I went home every night exhausted.”

Sam has two teenage children, a dog, three cats and two rabbits. Her interest in the garden and walking is on hold at the moment but she does enjoy time with her children, movies and TV.

CW