our PEOPLE ourPLACES
RHYS THOMAS spoke with two locals who have become hometown celebrities by going above and beyond in their workplaces
Max – Mareeba’s little Mobil servo champion BY going above and beyond in his normal duties, one young worker has become something of a hometown celebrity as the legend of “Max from Mobil” has spread throughout Mareeba. 16-year-old Max Bostock has been working his first job at Trinity Petroleum’s Mobil Mareeba site as a customer service attendant for the past nine months and has gained Facebook fame as tales of his kindness, courteousness and willingness to help has spread in the community like wildfire. Max’s positive attitude has left a lasting impression on many people including a five-year-old girl who refuses to be served by anyone else other than Max and will wait until he is free before approaching the counter. Mareeba Trinity Petroleum manager Denise Marshall said people have come into Mobil just to see if the rumours about Max are true and even take photos with the young man. “His politeness, willingness to help and attitude towards the customers has just been outstanding and he has really improved in leaps and bounds,” she said. “The comments then started on the community page and now people are coming in and always commenting on how good of a worker he is. “He goes out and he helps customers, carries
stuff out for them which is unusual for some people and they just love his thoughtfulness.” Locals have taken to the Mareeba Community Noticeboard to sing his praises and the posts garnered hundreds of likes and comments. “This young fella gives me hope in a world of uncertainty,” Darren Alston commented. Michael Zuvela said, “Max is a champion. Great work ethic and a very polite confident young man.” Another happy customer knew exactly who people were raving about despite never learning Max’s name. “Didn't know his name, but knew instantly who you guys meant, as there is only one 'kid' who works at a servo and just brightens my day, every single time I see him,” Mandy Carvin said. Max hasn’t quite come to terms with his status as a hometown celebrity and believes he is just doing his job and helping people where he can. “People come in all the time and say they know me from Facebook and the community page,” he said. “Sometimes I just feel the need to help people out. “It does feel good to be recognised for something I do.”
16-year-old Max Bostock from Mareeba Trinity Petroleum Mobil has become a hometown celebrity over the past nine months due to his selfless attitude and willingness to help others.
Kodi – the bright star of Fresh St Market IGA
Kodi Buchanan has realised his dream of helping people in their everyday lives by working at Fresh St Market IGA, pictured with Human Resources manager Rachel Grandcourt and Customer Service manager Claire Maletz.
Community Foundation Skills PCYC Mareeba What:
Community Foundation Skills is a three day a week, ten week program which offers assistance to Queenslanders with low level language, literacy, numeracy and digital (LLND) skills to improve their existing skills and equip them with the knowledge and confidence to participate successfully in a work environment. When: April 18th - June 22nd, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday Who: Open to all ages (minimum age 15) Cost: No cost to participants Where: PCYC Mareeba, 136 Walsh Street, Mareeba Contact: Jorgia Brown, Program Coordinator P 0447 264 658 - E jorgia.brown@pcyc.org.au This Skilling Queenslanders for Work project is proudly funded by the Queensland Government.
DESPITE struggling to socialise and communication due to Asperger syndrome, Kodi Buchanan has been working at Fresh St Market IGA for close to a year and thanks and his bright, bubbly and ready-to-help attitude, he has become a staple staff member. When he was younger, Kodi had a dream about working and interacting with people and thanks to the support of Cairns-based business Worklink and Atherton’s Fresh St Market IGA, he is able to live out his dream. Kodi commenced work with Fresh St in Atherton on 23 August last year and has since become a staple staff member. As he has severe Asperger’s syndrome, whenever Kodi become excited about something he becomes loud and even has a badge that says ‘when I am loud, I am happy’. Asperger’s is a developmental disorder that affects one’s ability to socialise and communicate, it is a condition on the autism spectrum and people with the condition can be socially awkward and have an all-absorbing interest in specific topics. Kodi enjoys meeting new and different types of people and likes to talk to them about things and products he enjoys in the store.
“I really enjoy working there as I just love my job and the other staff are great to work with, no day is ever the same,” he said. “I like asking now people’s days are going and if a customer buys something I like, I tell them a bit about it.” Georgia Mead from Worklink was a key part in Kodi securing a job at Fresh Street after a conversation revealed he “always wanted to do checkout work.” “When I met Kodi, I asked what he wanted to do and it was to work in I.T. and nothing else,” Ms Mead said. “One day in conversation I mentioned about IGA and then Kodi made a comment that he has wanted to do checkout work since he was young.” Kodi then spoke to Rachael Grandcourt from Fresh St and after speaking to her it made him realise he wanted to work at IGA. “I love the relationships I have developed with regular customers, who have told my manager, Claire, that they like being served by me as I am always happy,” he said. “IGA and Worklink are great supporters for people with a disability as I have Aspergers and the louder I am, the more cheerful I am.”
MUSIC AT THE MOUNT Featuring
KAWEYOVA &
PETER KINCH
SATURDAY APRIL 15TH 2PM - 8PM
FOOD TRUCK LIVE MUSIC COCKTAILS BEER
1819 CHEWKO RD, WALKAMIN QLD 4872
www.theexpressnewspaper.com.au
The Express, Wednesday, April 12, 2023 PAGE 13