It was 1983 when Alan Carter started as a storeman at Darragh’s Mitre 10 Feilding. Forty years, several colours of uniform, and 200,000 boxes of stock later, Alan is still going strong.

As a storeman, everything entering the store goes through him. “When I first started, every day felt like Christmas – and it still does.” Alan’s positive outlook has helped him enjoy his job for the last 40 years. He still enjoys opening the wide variety of products coming into the store to see what’s inside. “I feel like I have a new job every day, as no two days are the same.”

Che Darragh, along with his brother Liam Darragh, are the fourth generation of the Darragh family to run the Mitre 10 Feilding store, and the second during Alan’s tenure. Che is blown away by the tenacity and can-do attitude of Alan. “He is a caretaker of our business, working incredibly hard to deliver amazing customer service even after all these years. Alan is very much a part of our family,” Che says.

“Alan is still the first to arrive and last to leave, even after 40 years. He’s always wanting to help his customers, coworkers, and friends, and has a huge heart that would see him give the shirt off his back for anyone in need,” says Che.

Alan likens his role to one of a family member, too. “Mitre 10 has been a good firm to work for. They’re family oriented and I appreciate our shared values.” Always community-minded, Alan also works on the annual Lion’s Christmas Parade, going out of his way to provide service in the truest sense.