October 21, 2013
by Marcus Priaulx
Takani Warner and Gloria Lacey flash smiles that could light a small city to customers at Murgon’s Commonwealth Bank.
The two school students are doing traineeships and manager Jen Londsdale-Light said they brought a “breath of fresh air” to the branch each Wednesday.
“A lot more energy comes to the building when you have two young girls with such enthusiasm and joy for their job,” she said.
“You feel good having them here.”
Takani, 17, also won the national Trainee of The Month award in September from her training provider Franklin Scholar.
The Murgon State High Year 12 student overcame her initial fear of failing and wanting to quit to flourish in the role.
She felt proud, elated and gobsmacked when notified of her award.
Takani will now graduate from Year 12 with a Certificate II in Business on November 15 and attend a later Aboriginal Employment Strategy function to receive it.
She said the moral support she received from the bank’s staff was enormous and many Indigenous customers told her how good it was to see her behind the counter.
“It’s a change from work at school and I love it,” Takani said.
“The wage comes in handy too,” she added.
Gloria, 16, had her first day at the bank on November 25 last year.
“I was nervous, excited and scared but the staff gave me a warm feeling,” the St Mary’s Catholic College Year 11 student said.
She loves the customer interaction.
“They walk in, I smile at them, they smile back and you’re automatically connected,” Gloria said.
“I love the warm feeling I get from people by making their day, by smiling and helping them.”
The job also confirmed in Gloria’s mind what she wants to do in life.
“I want to go to Griffith University on the Sunshine Coast and study sports management,” she said.
The qualification would lead her to a job organising events that Gloria believes will give her a similar feeling to when she interacts with people at the bank.
Gloria represented the Darling Downs in touch football, volleyball and netball for four years when she was a student at St Saviours College in Toowoomba.
There she organised NAIDOC, weekend boarders’ activities and also captained the cheerleading squad.
She too will graduate with a Certificate II in Business next year.
Ms Lonsdale-Light said she would hire Gloria and Takani in a flash if they wanted to stay on after they graduated and she could convince senior management to provide the positions.
“It’s great to have someone from the community working here and they’re awesome,” she said.
[Photos: Marcus Priaulx]
