Lynne Mowbray|

The SPAR Maclean family has recently farewelled their long serving and valued store manager, Tina Ross.

Tina has been with SPAR Maclean for 20 years and has been store manager since 2016.

SPAR Maclean’s Facebook post on 25 October announced Tina’s retirement and the ‘end of era’.

Tina said that the reason for leaving was because she had recently become a grandmother and wanted to spend more time with her family.

“I’d still be there (at SPAR) today, if my daughter did not have my grand baby,” Tina said.

“I want to spend time with them and be able to help them out by babysitting.

“I was working full time at SPAR, trying to juggle the shop ‘Hooked on Seafood’ which I took over two years ago and do book work for (my husband) Jeff for his business – so something had to give,” she said.

“My daughter Gabby wanted me to help and look after Lexi, so I thought this way I can pick and choose my hours,” she said.

Tina said that her 20 years at SPAR Maclean has gone very quickly.

“For around 17 years I worked in the office and for the last three years, I have been doing the store manager job,” she said.

“Over the years, the highlight for me would have to be taking out the ‘SPAR Store of the Year’, in my first two years as store manager.

“Bob and Judith Little have been great bosses and the staff that I’ve worked with over the years, have become great friends.  

“It’s been a hard decision – and I loved my job,” she said.

A statement received from SPAR Maclean owner Bob Little, describes Tina’s years of service at the popular supermarket:

“Tina has been a valued employee for 20 years.

Tina came into our ‘family’ in 1999 from the Commonwealth Bank, at a point in time when we had just finished major renovations to our Store and gone through a major restructure.

She was appointed the role of office supervisor and I have never regretted putting her there. 

Tina was highly organised and was trusted explicitly with handling the financial side of our business.

In 2016, after the retirement of Janelle McLachlan, we offered Tina the job of store manager.

It is always my belief to help existing staff grow and better themselves from inside our family structure, rather than employing outside the organisation.

Tina had limited skills in running the grocery side of our business but Judith and I both felt that she had the ability to grow into the position. How right we were.

Tina has excelled in the position and has taken to it ‘like a duck to water’.

After winning the SPAR Store of the Year under Janelle’s watch, Tina has taken it to the next level and helped us win the next two years, which has made it an unprecedented three years in a row. This cannot be achieved by one person and it is the commitment of all the staff that makes this happen.

Tina had the support of all the staff and she was outstanding with our customers.

We will miss her and we wish her all the best in her new role.” – Bob and Judith Little