Station Square is a generational thing

JAY FIELDING

IT’S been 21 years since Station Square Shopping Centre opened, a momentous occasion in Maryborough’s history.

And in that time, it’s made its mark on the city and locals – some more than others.

Among those are Kathy Lynch and her five children, who have all have all worked at Big W, the centre’s major tenant since opening day on April 1, 2000.

Kathy now works in administration at the store, previously having been a frontend supervisor, and her two youngest children, Thomas and Hayden, also work at the store.

Daughters Alayna, Kiarra and Emily have since moved on.

“Alayna works at Auswide Bank, Kiarra is at the Sunshine Coast, she has two kids and she’s studying psychology, and Emily has just moved back to town with her son and partner and she’s studying nursing,” Kathy said.

Kathy said Big W was a great place to work and she loved the freedom her role involved.

“I like it because of the people, particularly. It’s a good work atmosphere,” she said.

“I like the job that I do. I love coming to work.”

The company has provided opportunities for each of the Lynches.

Kathy was a stay-at-home mum before rejoining the workforce at Big W, and she said Alayna in particular had benefited from the development she underwent while at the store.

“She was extremely shy. (Now) she gets awards at Auswide Bank for her sales.

“You wouldn’t think a shy person could sell things.”

Thomas has been able to work for several other stores in the chain, including being a founding staff member at the Sunshine Plaza store, and has returned to Maryborough to save money for planned travel to Canada.

“It’s good because you can move around and transfer with the company,” he said.

Hayden, who works in technology, was the last to join the store, following in the footsteps of his mother and siblings.

Big W Maryborough manager Jake Drinkwater said the store wouldn’t be the same without Kathy.

“I’ve only been here a year myself, but I’ve come to rely heavily on Kathy,” he said.

The Lynches aren’t the only family that have been pivotal team members at the Maryborough store.

Three generations of the Westbrook family have also worked there: Sharyn Westbrook, an employee since day one, three of her four children and now the third generation in the form of her grandson Josh Harris.

The opening of Big W represented the return of a department store to the city, which had been left without one since the closure of Boys.

Maryborough has been home to several department stores throughout its history, including Stuparts, Finney Isles and Co and even David Jones from 1977 to 1981. Original tenants still operating at Station Square include:

• Big W

• Donut King

• Sanity

• Best and Less

• Proud’s Jewellers

• Newsexpress

• Jeans West

• Baker’s Delight