By Esther Lauaki
Thousands of Melton shoppers would have been greeted by this face for more than a decade. Albert Peck has been on the door at Woodgrove Shopping Centre’s Kmart store for 15 years and last week retired – a day before his 79th birthday.
The well-loved employee has racked up plenty of friends and fans over his years in the role. “The customers have been great to me,” Mr Peck said. “Retiring was a very hard decision to make.
“I came in doing security and many years later … I’m still here.”
Customers were so fond of Mr Peck that they set up a Facebook group called “Albert is the greatest door greeter in history” which has attracted 5000 followers.
“[Kmart] is a great company to work for and I’m very humbled by it all,” Mr Peck said.
“The people have always looked after me here and it didn’t matter whether they were upper management or floor staff.
“Thank you friends for all your good wishes for my retirement … the hugs from so many and the littlies too is so heart-warming and humbling too.
“I will deeply miss all of my wonderful friends terribly.
“It’s been a wonderful journey and I’ve loved every minute of it.”
There’s more to Mr Peck than meets the eye.
“I managed Woodgrove for 16 years, until my wife passed and I stepped into this role,” he said. “I’ve been a Melton councillor between 1982 to 1985 and I’m a retired Justice of the Peace.”
Follow Mr Peck’s journey: bit.ly/2nNHqkN
