PUTTING a smile on people's faces is front of mind every day for Sharnae Berresford of Swansea who shines in her role as a 'checkout chick' at Woolworths. It's her dream job, and her dedication to the role has seen her named Woolworths NSW Check Out Operator of the year.
She is now in the running for a national accolade, after working in the role for just over ten months.
The story of Sharnae, of 'Love on the Spectrum' fame, warmed the hearts of viewers after she and her now husband Jimmy Berresford found true love on the telelvision show which followed the dating lives of young Australians living with Autism.
Woolworths Swansea store manager Michael Beresford said Sharnae was an excellent example of what it means to bring a little bit of joy to everyone, every day.
"She often says Woolworths is her dream job and at the end of each day, she is already looking forward to her next shift."
She enjoys catching up with the regular customers, he said, who will often line up at her register, even if there are vacant check-outs available.
In a year when all of her peers across the state went the extra mile as essential workers through the pandemic, it was a great achievement for Sharnae to be recognised for her efforts, he said.
Working through COVID has been hard, Sharnae told the Newcastle Herald. "Everything is different at work, new rules, but I'm doing good because I have a great team at Woolworths and they are very understanding and very supportive."
Sharnae landed the job with the support of inclusive recruitment specialists Job Centre Australia which is a nationally accredited specialist disability employer partner and youth NDIS provider.
Job Centre Australia's operators manager in the Lower Hunter, Anthony Workman, said in the four years working with Sharnae, she had made huge strides to overcome her barriers and build on her confidence, social skills and to gain vital workplace skills.
Winners of the national awards will be announced on October 13.
