LYNNE Ffrost says the only thing that hasn’t changed in the Ballarat Health Services’ catering department since 1964 is the humble sandwich.
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Which is lucky, since it’s estimated she’s made 3.1 million of them in her 50 years of employment – along with 5.8 million meals.
At a special celebration at the Queen Elizabeth Centre’s Lederman Hall on Thursday, Mrs Ffrost, who prefers to be called Ffrosty, credited patience and perseverance for her long service record.
“My mother started working in the kitchens here when I was five years old, so you could say my association with BHS started in 1952,” Mrs Ffrost said.
She said the main changes over time were in technology, with hot bain maries, automatic slicers and modern kitchens combining to make her working life much easier.
“There’s also more of a choice these days, and we’re catering for all diets.”
Mrs Ffrost thanked her husband John for his support but added he had only worked a “mere 37 years” at BHS.
BHS board president Andrew Faull said, while BHS was good at recognising long-serving staff, Mrs Ffrost was “out there on your own”.
“You just don’t get this length of service anymore.”
He referred to a 1993 performance appraisal in which Mrs Ffrost said: “I plod away, keep a positive attitude, sing and be happy”.
BHS chief executive officer Andrew Rowe said he went to the cupboard to get a 50 year service medal but there wasn’t one.
“So we’re getting one made for you.”
