AFTER a career spanning nearly five decades, Lorel Swan has decided to call it a day and retire from her role at Coastline Credit Union.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Starting in 1974, only eight years after Macleay Mutual Credit Union was founded, Lorel has watched on as the business has changed its name, experienced a huge surge in growth and evolved with the times.
However, the long time Kempsey resident says most of her fondest memories are of the people she has worked and interacted with over the years.
"The business looked very different when I started; Coastline Credit Union was known as Macleay Mutual Credit Union and was in Smith Street where St George is now," she said.
"It was all manual processing back then; ledger machines, withdrawals and deposits were written up in passbooks.
"There were no adding machines on the counter, no debit, credit cards or ATMs; it was a very different time.
"The one thing that has stayed the same throughout my time with Coastline is the workplace has always felt like family to me; I've made lifelong friends with the staff and members, that's always been the case since day one."
Lorel has held numerous positions during her successful career and seen many changes to the business, but even after all this time, she never had the desire to work anywhere else.
Coastline Credit Union's good staff relations were particularly appealing, but also the work they do within the local community.
"I applied when the opportunity came up, and I was lucky enough to be appointed to the role," Lorel said.
Michael and I are keen to do some travelling at some point though; there are still parts of Australia we are anxious to see.
- Lorel Swan
"From the start, Coastline has given myself and other employees so many opportunities. They have always looked after us, they gave me time off to travel and go on holidays with my family and also when I had my twins, Joseph and Hannah.
"I feel privileged to have been a part of a successful local business who has given back so much to our community and treats their employees so well."
It was these traits that Lorel says made her decision to leave even harder but ultimately she felt it was time for the next generation to take over and make their mark.
"It was a tough decision, but I thought it was time to step aside; I knew this would create an opportunity for school leavers to start a career with Coastline Credit Union," she said.
Lorel might have officially retired from her job at the credit union, but she will still be in the Macleay for the foreseeable future.
Among her many plans are travel, and helping out with her family construction business.
"Michael and I have our own business M & L Swan Builders, I've been the office girl all the time," Lorel said.
"I'm still actively involved in the administrative side of our business; it's busy times in the building and construction industry.
"Michael and I are keen to do some travelling at some point though; there are still parts of Australia we are anxious to see."
Lorel Swan's final day was back in September, where she spent her last few hours with the team at the Coastline Credit Union branch in West Kempsey.
Also making the news:
Our journalists work hard to provide local, up-to-date news to the community. This is how you can continue to access our trusted content:
- Bookmark our website
- Make sure you are signed up for our breaking and regular headlines newsletters
- Follow us on Twitter: @macleayargus
- Follow us on Instagram: @macleayargus