Paeroa man Kelvin Peacock knows a thing or two about workplace loyalty.
For 40 years, he has been employed at the local Countdown supermarket, and has witnessed brand changes, stock changes, and the changing faces of his customers.
But while Kelvin’s long-standing career will be recognisable to some, as a night fill worker, many in the community may not have noticed his persistent presence.
“He’s very fastidious, and very reliable and conscientious,” Paeroa Countdown’s long life manager Ben McLeod said. “He’s not the guy who’s going to cause problems.”
Ben has known Kelvin for 30 years and said he was very good at facts and figures, loved his sports trivia, and The All Blacks.
Rifling through photos from the past decades show a young Kelvin smiling among the grocery aisles. In one photo, he’s wearing his nametag, a cap, and bowtie.
On January 18, the team at Paeroa Countdown celebrated Kelvin’s 40 years where he was presented with an award by store manager David Ritchie.
“You can’t fault Kelvin’s loyalty,” Ben told The Profile. “There’s lots of people he’s worked with over the years, and on behalf of them, I want to say thanks very much. It is a real milestone in someone’s life to achieve this, and I know the people who have worked with him will be really proud.
“Well done, Kelv.”
