Nicole Rummell from Woolworths Pialba is a familiar face to many and has been named the Woolworths Care Leader of the Year for QLD, succeeding over 7,000 applications nationally.

With her passion for helping people and creating a vibrant experience, Nicole has been recognised for her remarkable fundraising efforts and for taking the lead to coordinate donations on behalf of the store, to support a range of community initiatives.

This included the organisation of a fundraising effort for the Childrens Hospital, raising $9,600.

'I have been working for Woolworths for eighteen years, always in Hervey Bay and always here at the Pialba store' Nicole said.

‘There are so many long-term regular customers here, you get to know them very well, both inside and outside work’.

‘"I have seen a huge amount of change over time, but the one thing that hasn’t changed is the community spirit and the kindness of people who venture into our store’.

‘The Childrens Hospital fundraising program started out as wall tokens, that customers could purchase at the check-out and we did amazingly well with that’.

Nicole wanted to ensure as much money could be raised as possible, and she also knew that Hervey Bay still remained a tight-knit community who are always willing to lend a hand to a great cause.

‘To help supplement our fundraising, we came up with idea of doing some in-store raffles as well. I went out in my own time, visited local businesses and sought donations to help increase the amount of money raised’

‘The support of local businesses was incredible and we raised an additional $1,400 in a single day’.

‘We have also started partnering with Hervey Bay High School, to provide breakfast for disadvantaged children who may not have eaten before they head to school. We are also doing gift cards and food for the homeless once a month’.

‘I just love working here. I love the people and I really enjoy the opportunity of giving back to the community’.