TUCKERS
Advertising Feature
Main: Ross Allen with Tuckers’ 1960 Ford Galaxy Hearse. Insert: Ross Allen with Trevor Cole (Geelong Echo 1983).
Ross Allen – celebrating 40 years of service Ross Allen is a very well-known man throughout the Greater Geelong region, and for good reason. Ross has continuously served the families of Geelong with Tuckers Funeral & Bereavement Service for the past 40 years. Since 1973, Ross has guided and supported many families whilst representing them with absolute integrity, respect and discretion. When talking to Ross you hear stories of a man who has given his time to serving others, regarding every family he meets as a privilege. His constant professionalism is admired by all. How did you come to start working at Tuckers? Working as a licensed grocer, I managed a mixed business with my father for over 15 years. After a few years of my father having health problems, we decided to sell the business. That is when Trevor Cole, suggested that I work with his family at Tuckers. Originally I scoffed at the idea of working in the funeral industry, but as you can see it was a well suited opportunity as I am still at Tuckers today. What do you think has changed the most in the funeral industry over the past 40 years? The increase in rules and regulations. There have been so many changes over the years whether it be privacy issues, OH&S, health regulations, - it seems
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nowadays there is so much information that needs to be collected for different agencies and organisations. Seeing the need for prearranged funerals has also been interesting. The willingness of people to discuss their funeral wishes and options and then to make their decisions has grown rapidly. Technology has also played a large part in the way we do business, I remember back in the day we would hand type Death and Funeral notices and then have to hand deliver them to the local paper – what a big change to now being able to submit notices online. 40 years is a lifetime of service, what is your secret to success/longevity? We are dealing with people at a vulnerable and challenging
time, I believe that being non-judgmental and allowing families to find harmony when making decisions together are very important. I aspire to give the best advice I can without imposing myself onto others. I would also not have been able to manage my role without the support from my loving wife Margaret and her ability to raise our 4 children with me in and out of the house at all hours of the day and night at times this could be quite demanding. What other activities do you do outside of Tuckers? I have been actively involved in Church Leadership for over 45 years and a working member of Rotary for 35 years, being president in 1984 with an honor of being recognized as a Paul Harris Fellow. Other passions I have include local football
where I was the junior football coach and administrator for many years and local cricket for 30 years with much time as the captain coach and admistrator in the local district competition. Do you have any tips/advice for the younger generation of Funeral Directors? I believe that a genuine concern and compassion for people are such important qualities, but most importantly, be attentive to families and their needs – it doesn’t matter how busy you are or what else may be happening, when working with a family give them you undivided attention. Get to know the names of all people you meet with and use their correct names throughout all of your dealings with families. I think it can be extremely difficult, but it is tremendously rewarding.