Woolworths Group

We are so proud of our 20-year partnership with Foodbank Australia, who, together with our supply chain arm, Primary Connect, are helping families experiencing food insecurity in the Top End. As well as donating food and household items from our distribution centres across the nation, Primary Connect, is one of Foodbank SA & NT's biggest pro bono transport providers, regularly delivering pallets of food and essentials to the new Foodbank Food Hub and Warehouse operation in Darwin. As a result, Foodbank SA & NT CEO Greg Pattinson, Regional Manager Jack Barrett, and their devoted team have been able to distribute more than 342,980kg of food relief across the Northern Territory, including remote First Nations communities. “Partnering with Jack and the Foodbank team has been incredibly rewarding,” says Woolworths NT Group Manager, Daniel Palumbo. “They’re making a real difference in their quest to end hunger in the Top End.” Watch the inspiring video here:

From tradition to innovation, Wandin Valley Farms is setting the standard for Australia’s cherry industry – one perfect cherry at a time. For them, growing cherries is more than a business – it’s a family legacy spanning over 130 years. Siblings Paris and Reuben are the youngest of the three generations of family members currently working on the farm, and also the fifth generation of the family to grow cherries. From the Sebire family’s first orchard in 1893 to today’s state-of-the-art operations, their passion for quality fruit is matched by a drive to embrace innovation. “With our new orchard coming into production, we will harvest from over 1000 acres across the cherry season, which runs for about 100 days,” says Paris, who helps lead operations at Wandin Valley Farms. “Picking at the perfect moment – when the colour and sugars are just right – is critical, and the team has done a first-class job this season.” That team effort is supported by world-class technology. “We’ve installed sensors on tree trunks that measure their expansion and contraction in minute microns,” Paris shares. “It helps us monitor moisture uptake and decide exactly when to water, ensuring the trees thrive.” In their advanced packing facility, cherries are hand-picked and meticulously sorted. Reuben, who helps manage production, explains: “Our innovative system takes 30 high-definition photos of every cherry using colour, black-and-white and infrared cameras. Combined with AI, we can sort by size, colour and defects to ensure only the best cherries make it to Woolworths shelves.” Speed is also key. “Cherries are delicate,” says Reuben. “We pick them today, cool them down to two degrees within seven minutes, and pack them the next day. They’re on trucks that night, so customers receive fruit at its freshest.” The Sebire-Jones family are proud of their long-standing partnership with Woolworths. “For over 10 years, Woolies has supported us in delivering the best cherries to Australian families year after year,” says Paris.

Meet Zachary from Woolworths Cabramatta! For the past 9 years, Zachary has been an integral part of the team, sharing his journey as he navigates life with autism. He highlights how the store’s inclusive initiatives, like the quiet room and Quiet Hour every Tuesday, create a welcoming shopping experience for everyone. 🛒💚 Jeanette Fenske, Con Poulos, Geoff Trappett OAM

Meet Charlene Pretorius, one of our product development chefs, who for the last three years has put time aside at Christmas to bring a bit of joy to sick kids. “I was so inspired by the work of Starlight Children's Foundation Australia,” says Charlene. “The thought of kids being in hospital over Christmas broke my heart and I wanted to do whatever I could to bring them a little joy.” This year, Charlene put together trays of treats and goodies for Starlight Foundation’s Starlight Express Room at Sydney Children's Hospital.    “As a chef, I know how food can cheer people up,” says Charlene. “Last year, my team and I decorated cookies with the kids and I’ll never forget their smiles and how it brightened their day.” Charlene credits the teams at Woolworths Group for always being willing to contribute to the cause. “They’re amazing,” she smiles. “Everyone contributes to ensure we have a mix of treats and other goods for the kids to enjoy.” “This donation means so much to the kids,” says ‘Captain Strawberry’ from the Starlight Foundation. “We are so grateful! This will really put a smile on their faces.” Thank you for all you do Charlene!

A huge shoutout to Woolworths Group and their transport partner, Primary Connect, for bringing Christmas magic to children in care this year! 🎅🎄 Thanks to their incredible support, more than 80 boxes of presents reached children across Derby, Kununurra, Karratha, South Hedland, Roebourne and Newman just in time for Christmas morning. With their sleigh traveling countless miles, Woolworths and Primary Connect played a key role in spreading joy and their generosity made Christmas brighter for children in care. 🎁To find out more about our Christmas present drive, visit https://docsm.au/3DptvI4

Next year marks the 10-year anniversary of Woolworths Group’s partnership with the Royal Flying Doctor Service (Queensland Section), an alliance that helps their inspiring team, including Primary Health Care nurse Lesley Mallard, provide quality health care in remote and regional communities across the state. The daughter of an adventurous remote area nurse and midwife, Lelsey started her role with the RFDS six years ago after working and raising her sons in remote areas, such as East Arnhem Land, for 20 years. “I grew up living in remote locations and I raised my family in a remote location, so I know what it's like to not have access to health care,” she says. “I know what it's like to not have supermarkets and dentists around, and what it means if you have to travel to see a doctor. “The service we offer is so important.” Woolworths Community Programs Manager Loretta Arrastia could not be prouder of our long-time partnership with RFDS Queensland. “Through our contributions, and the support of our customers and team, we're helping RFDS Queensland to achieve their mission of ‘the furthest corner, the finest care,’” says Loretta. Watch Lesley’s inspiring personal story here https://lnkd.in/gVXEPbZf

We’re so proud of our team who stepped in to save Christmas after thieves stole donations from local Sydney charity Community Cafe Incorporated Outreach Service. When BIG W’s Angela Cerasani saw Community Cafe Incorporated founder and CEO Kirsty Parkes’ appeal on Facebook for toy donations to replace the $5000 worth of toys stolen in a raid on her charity, she hit the phones to rally team members. “Watching Kirsty’s heartbreaking video really tugged at my heartstrings,” says Angela, who is BIG W’s product quality support specialist and a mother of two. Within hours, Kirsty was thrilled to learn Woolworths Group was donating $3000 worth of new toys and an additional $15,000 worth of clothes and homewares. “We are now so ridiculously good that we are doing, for the first time ever, toy hampers for families,” Kirsty says, adding that Angela and her teammates have helped save Christmas for dozens of families. Her charity will provide 600 families with a special Christmas dinner this year, after forging a partnership with seven Woolworths stores in western Sydney over the past two years. “Woolies was a game changer for us as an organisation,” says Kirsty, who adds that 90 per cent of the fresh meat and vegetables and assorted groceries she gives away to families in need come from Woolworths stores. Brad Glasspole, who is store manager at Woolworths in Miller, started the wonderful partnership because he saw firsthand just how tough his community was doing it. “Our support of the Community Cafe is just about bringing that community together,” says Brad, who was inspired to help when he heard about Kirsty and the incredible work she is doing in the financially strapped community. “It’s so rewarding to be a part of it, and to be able to give back and show what good looks like in terms of community,” he says. Brad, who recently celebrated 20 years working at Woolworths in Miller, helped wrap some of the toys donated by BIG W to brighten up the lives of the children in his area. “Christmas is my favourite time of the year.” Thank you to our team who helped save Christmas, and to Kirsty for everything you do for your community. To discover more read here https://lnkd.in/gAh4HWjf

It was a milestone moment for Woolworths Group and Woolworths360 when the foundation cohort of 11 apprentices officially graduated from our four-year refrigeration apprenticeship program at a celebration at the Norwest Support Offices in Sydney on December 12. Looking on proudly was Caroline Fitzgerald, Apprenticeship Program Manager for Woolworths 360 at Woolworths Group. Affectionately known as the ‘Apprentice Mum’, she shared that 10 graduates had been offered permanent jobs with Woolworths Group. “We have worked together to create a step change in the industry for the ’Fridgies of the Future’,” says Caroline. “Our technicians have taken such care in providing outstanding training and support to our apprentices, they have truly made the difference to developing such high-calibre junior technicians.” A multi-award-winning and nominated program for diversity and inclusion, the apprenticeship was launched by Woolworths360 (W360) in 2020 as an opportunity to address the industry-wide skills shortage, introduce industry-leading technological solutions to reach our energy and environmental sustainability goals, and to increase diversity and inclusion in the refrigeration industry. “Fast-forward four years and our original apprentices have succeeded in honing their skills through their hard work on the job and at TAFE to become highly skilled junior technicians,” says Caroline. “We are incredibly proud that the first apprentices from the program are graduating!” Among the graduates was talented ‘trailblazer’ and single mum Amy Murray, who took out Apprentice of the Year and CSQ Outstanding Apprentice of the Year at the recent TAFE Queensland Awards. “I first started working in a Woolworths supermarket to pay the rent and feed my kids,” says Amy. “Now, I have finished a refrigeration apprenticeship and have not just a job but a career. I have never had a career until now. Life is good!” Read Amy’s inspiring story here https://lnkd.in/gQeRPj_E

That's a wrap! BIG W is thrilled to have hosted our first BIG Wrapathon event across our stores nationally, with team members, volunteers and celebrities collecting donations and wrapping over 7,000 gifts on one day for Aussie customers. Tennis champion Lleyton Hewitt, children's DJ Lenny Pearce and beloved entertainer Emma Watkins were among the high profile supporters getting behind the cause over the weekend. In its first year, BIG Wrapathon weekend raised an estimated $50,000 to support children's hospitals and research institutes across the country. The event also celebrated the launch of BIG W's charity wrapping paper, designed by kids' in hospital care with proceeds going back to hospital and research partners. Until Christmas, BIG W is also selling $2 fundraising tokens designed by kids dealing with serious illness. Across BIG W's Christmas fundraiser, to date over $470,000 has been raised for programs supporting sick kids and their families. BIG W will also make a donation of $100,000 to further support these programs. A BIG thank you and congratulations to everyone involved, from our customers to team and volunteers. A special thank you to our partners for the incredibly valuable work you are doing every day for Australian families: Sydney Children's Hospitals Foundation (SCHF), Murdoch Children's Research Institute (MCRI), Perth Children's Hospital Foundation, Children's Hospital Foundation and Women's & Children's Hospital Foundation. #BIGW #BIGWrapathon

It's very special to be able to share such beautiful stories from team members past and present. Thank you Dot & Maureen for letting us into your home and sharing your story with us 💙