PHOTO: Donna Evans with her national certificate of appreciation.
Office manager Donna Evans’ 26-year dedication to AJF Brien and Sons was recognised recently with a certificate of appreciation by the national Rural Marketing Agent (RMA) Network.
“We are proud to have you as part of our network and look forward to your continued success and contributions,” RMA Network CEO Chris Howie said in a letter to Donna.
Donna started at AJF in March 1998 and has been office manager for nearly 20 years.
Her responsibilities included servicing personal accounts, licensing, registrations, and keeping the staff’s presentation in check.
She said over the years she has learned a lot, especially from John Brien.
“He was our very first boss. He taught us a lot,” Donna said.
Donna said the diverse nature of her job and the people she got to meet along the way are what held her in the profession for so long.
“You get a good variety of work every day. It’s not a repetitive job. And then, the clients walk in and you get to have a chat.”
“Over the years you get to work with a lot of amazing people.”
Accompanying Donna are secretaries Shinaid Beasley and Kerryn Ryan, who along with Donna, have a shared service time of almost 50 years.
AJF Director David Chadwick was at the company when Donna first started.
“She was coming back into the workforce after having two children and luckily she looked kindly our way.”
“We thought she was helpful and a very pleasant person,” David said about his first impression of her.
Two years after Donna started at AJF, the firm joined forces with Lemmich Connick Pty Ltd, giving Donna even more work.
When they departed other stockmen joined the business and eventually became partners including Peter O’Connor, Jim Hiscock, Angus Chadwick and recently Ricky Looten.
Around 14 years ago David and John helped develop the Coonamble Feedlot which in turn opened up a whole new business which Donna had to adapt to.
Donna proved to be an irreplaceable employee.
“She has a very strong attention to detail and doing everything properly, promptly, and ethically which is something that is critically important in our business, along with confidentiality when you know people’s businesses intricately,” David said.
David said it is hard to fit everything that Donna means to the company within a few words.
“I think there’s too much to say. You can’t summarize 26 years of working with a colleague.”
“She was always incredibly prompt and very efficient and pleasant with never a harsh moment.”
“She always had a wonderful work ethic.”
David said that even when an urgent matter came up, Donna was always ready to help.
“There have been several times along the way where she’s been needed at the sale yards at odd hours of the day and night, or had to run down to the office on a Saturday to sort out somebody’s prices that didn’t go through.”
“She always gave 100 percent of her effort to the job but also 100 percent into balancing the work-life balance with her two children.”
Donna’s professional but gentle manner made her a valuable asset to the team.
“I’m sure there’s been plenty of times along the way where we have all driven her nuts, but she never let on,” said David.
“She was always the one that came along and tidied the loose ends.”
“She’s always avoided the title of Office Manager but everyone’s recognised her as such and that just gives you an example of her modesty.
“She has always been able to work with anybody and do it with a smile on her face.”
“AJF Brien & Sons feel extremely lucky to have had this association with Donna and very proud to have her service recognised.”