Possibly the most coveted of all of the awards to receive within an organisation that prides itself on its community focus, receiving this outstanding accolade is quite a feat.
In a region that takes in all of Victoria as well as Southern New South Wales and Riverina districts, just being nominated and becoming a finalist is worthy of celebration.
“All IGA stores are audited every three months,” store manager Craig Waldron said.
“Procedures, cleanliness, food safety, merchandising, everything is assessed and analysed.
“Part of that process also analyses where and how we help the community.”
It was the answers to these final questions that saw the auditing professionals nominate, and ultimately list Waldron’s as one of the top eight stores for community giving in the greater south-eastern region.
The award recognises and celebrates the store that is the most active and does the most for its surrounding community.
With a long list of community involvement that includes (but is far from limited to) sponsorship of sporting clubs, donations, subsidies and assisting other organisations, such as the Men’s Shed and service clubs, to complete community projects, Mr Waldron says it is actually the little things that make the biggest difference to the community.
“I moved here with my family when I was about eleven years old and, like all kids here we swam in the river,” he said.
“We live in a river town and so it is essential that children here know how to swim.
“That’s why we have been subsidising the kids Learn to Swim program so that every kid in Corowa can be safe in their environment.”
Growing up in small communities has only added to Mr Waldron’s inherent desire to contribute. A member of the fire brigade since he was fifteen years old, he has always been very community-driven and, as such, credits his neighbours for the store’s success.
“This award is as much for the community as it is for the store,” he said.
“It is the loyalty of our community and their support of the store by shopping with us regularly, that allows us to do what we do.
“Many of our customers also choose to donate a portion, or even the entirety, of their own Rewards Points to a local community organisation or club.
“We would really like to thank the town for their support.”
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