One chapter closes and another begins

Rarely am I stuck for words, or know quite where to start. Today is one of those days.

Today is my last day in Customer Care, at least for the next 6 months, and there are so many feelings that I am going through as I try to say Thank you ... for everything!

My time in Customer Care at the Westpac Group began in July 2017 on my mother's birthday (RIP) - she would be proud of what I have achieved in my time here, as am I. And I am so grateful for the opportunities, the people I have met, the customers I have been able to help and my time here. I wanted to say thank you to everyone but especially to some.

Firstly, I wanted to say a huge thank you to those who interviewed me and gave me the opportunity to return to the Westpac Group after a seriously long time away. I remember I received 2 offers on the same day - one from Customer Care and one from a company helping people in hardship. It was not an easy decision but there were two people who had been part of the interviewing process who made the difference, who I knew I wanted to work with and that tipped the scales for me. I am so glad they did. Thank you Tenneille Davies and Steven Pickering. Tenneille, you have been my rock since Day One and anyone who works with you knows it is a privilege. Thank you for being the star that you are.

I started my time here with 8 wonderful individuals and out of the 9 of us, the 4 remaining now becomes 3. Monnary, Mully and Mathew Truong, you have been so supportive and I couldn't have asked to start this journey with a nicer group of people. Remember Induction Day?

Although I have had numerous Team Leaders over my time here, the longest running and the one who has known how to get the best from me has been Bhaskar Choudhury and I am so thankful to have had Bhaskar as my Team Leader. I will remain eternally grateful for the recognition he bestowed upon me that culminated in me heading off to New Zealand as part of the AllStars - thank you! My first time using my passport - whoo hoo!! What a great time I had!

A massive thank you to Ian Harrison for flying me to Sydney to be part of the Motivate Series filming and for giving me the opportunity to meet and chat with some of the wonderful Sydney team.

So many first experiences. I have been so fortunate.

At the AllStars, I met so many amazing individuals. One who stands out and has been so supportive, open and encouraging is Les Vance - thank you for introducing me to to MAC (Maria-ann Camilleri). Thank you both so much for taking the time to speak with me, give me guidance and support.

Early on I was afforded the opportunity to spend some time with our fabulous CEO and it was inspiring. I love his Vision and I believe in it wholeheartedly. Thank you Brian Hartzer for taking the time out of your busy schedule to talk with front line staff, it has a huge impact and remains such a memorable moment in time.

And of course my Stream Manager, Colin Ferguson, who I am sure I have proved challenging for at times. Thank you Colin for always letting me voice my opinions, even when I have been a proverbial "pain in the ***" ha ha ha Thank you for letting me share my emails, thoughts, for giving me directions over the phone when I was totally lost in Sydney and for starting the ball rolling that ended up with a rather large poster in Kent Street.

Another fabulous memory I have to cherish always. I even roped you into having a photo with me on the day of the photo shoot.

And there is another very special person who is part of the Customer Care family. He was one of my trainers, he was my Team Leader briefly, but more importantly he has been a strength and an amazing friend during my time here. If you were to ask me "who is the heart of Customer Care Melbourne?", I would not hesitate in my response.

Brad Murdoch, you are one of the most genuine, caring, supportive and sincere people that I have had the honour to know. You have been there when I was stressing out, when I took ill and you caught a cab with me to the doctor, you came and looked after my beautiful senior cat Millie when I had the opportunity to take a holiday for the first time in over 20 years, you surprised me with a gift basket (thank you Monnary, Brad and Maryam Nasim) when my wallet got stolen and I was so distressed. And I know you care for everyone exactly the same way. Customer Care is so very lucky to have you!

Byron Bay was amazing and without you taking care of Millie for me I would not have had this sensational experience.

There are so many others that have made their mark - Fil Pace, it was great to see you again yesterday and I look forward to hearing all about the new team; Islam Hassan, finally someone to talk motorbikes with! ha ha ha; Rebecca Wilson, always a huge support and a life long friend; Cassie - always willing to lend a hand; Darren Syrett, always ready with some positive quotes; Kelly, a watchful eye always noticing if you have taken a distressing call; Samad Karim, always happy to help when you didn't know what to do ... so so many ... you are all amazing! And if I have omitted anyone, I apologise - I am grateful to every single member of the Customer Care family.

Now it's time to get ready and head in to the 4th floor for the final time, to speak with my wonderful customers and to soak up my Customer Care environment for the last day.

Monday sees me begin a wonderful opportunity for a 6 month secondment with another part of the Westpac Group and I am excited. Nervous but excited. And from the people I have met so far, I know it will be another fabulous extension to my Westpac family. And another story down the road.

Thank you Customer Care, for everything!

(c) Dianne Traynor 31 May 2019