AS Shirley Barrot celebrates 40 years at Sunraysia Regis, the beloved chef has assured everyone that she has no plans to leave.
"I dread the day that they come to tell me I might have to go," Ms Barrot, 70, said. "I'll be here as long as I can be here."
When Ms Barrot started working at the aged care centre, she was certain that it was going to be "just a few years" but a love of the job and of the people there kept her for longer. She started washing dishes before being asked if she'd like to cook, and eventually taking the title of chef.
Ms Barrot said she had been through different companies, colleagues and residents but a love of the work and the people has kept her there.
"I've seen lots of different residents and lots of different change in the place and the industry," she said. "They have really all been for the better."
The decades working at the centre have flown by for Ms Barrot, who said it feels "weird" to think about how long she has been there.
"It doesn't seem like 40 years," she said. "When you say 40 years you think 'oh' but it doesn't seem like that long."
Trish Nelson, who has worked with Ms Barrot for close to 20 years, said she considers her to be like a "work Mum."
"I just want to take care of her when she retires, I'll miss her if she goes," Ms Nelson said. "We all look after each other here, a bit like a family."
Ms Nelson said that it was during COVID that she really appreciated work friendships, such as the one she shares with Ms Barrot.
"COVID has been really tough on everyone in aged care," she said. "We couldn't see our friends or family but luckily we got to see our work mates, I got to see people like Shirley."
Ms Nelson said she doesn't think anyone else will make it to a 40-year anniversary again and she admires the hard work and dedication of her friend.
"She is the most conscientious person I've ever worked with. She never has a sick day, she's 70 and she still does double shifts, like it's nothing for her to work 100 hours a week," Ms Nelson said. "She's just a really loyal employee who loves her job.
"I hope I'm like her when I'm 70, she just goes and goes and goes," she said.
