Page 32 - Australasian Paint & Panel magazine

WOMEN IN COLLISION
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PAINT&PANEL MARCH / APRIL 2023
WINNING WOMEN DRIVING EXCELLENCE
CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL OF THE FINALISTS AND WINNERS – AND TO EVERY SINGLE WOMAN WHO WAS NOMINATED. FIND OUT MORE ABOUT THIS YEAR’S WINNERS HERE.
quite a few charities. She also knits and crochets for several charities in her morning tea and lunch times.
“All my customers and the insurance company employees comment about how good Jo is and how approachable and thorough she is. She is simply amazing and is such a credit to me, my staff, our customers and the insurance companies.
“Our parts suppliers just love her too. She is so competent in all aspects of the parts sector. She is one of the finest in the industry”, says Bill.
MARGARET BAUER, COOMA CRASH REPAIRS, NSW
Margaret is the general manager and her duties include the management of all ve- hicles in and out of the workshop, the handling of insurance claims, payroll and managing staff.
Her background is in health care and she draws parallels between the two professions as you have to triage the ‘in- jury’ and then organise to care for the patient and deal with insurers.
Business owner Penney Tonini says: “Dealing with people from all walks of life is Margaret's gift. No two days are ever the same. While some people can be difficult and demanding, others are incredibly gener-
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HERE WERE A NUMBER OF
finalists in each of the five categories for this year’s awards. There can only be two winners in each category. The judging panel is made up of last year’s winners who judge solely on the written nominations submitted via Sur- vey Monkey. Nominations will open again towards the end of this year. If you
and deals with almost all enquiries and customers allowing Bill to run the work- shop efficiently. As well as booking in and helping customers, and liaising with insurers, she wanted to learn to quote from the get go and is always ea- ger to learn every aspect of running the business. On top of quoting Joanne also keeps the office and accounts running smoothly and oversees parts ordering.
Jo is the most loyal,
conscientious and hard working employee
I have had the pleasure of working with.”
Bill says he’s been able to have long holidays where Joanne steps up into his role and runs the business without con- tacting him. “There is nothing that Jo can't or won't do in my business.” Bill says. “She also bakes and decorates a birthday cake for all the staff members. Jo is the most loyal, conscientious and hard working employee I have had the pleasure of working with in my 20 years owning my own business.
“Jo loves the social aspect of the re- pair industry, she always strives to make all aspects of the business better. We are like family here at Burleigh Smash Re- pairs and everyone has each others’ back. All my employees have been with me for years, the longest has been with me for 19 years with a small break in be- tween to follow some dreams.”
Joanne is also a charitable soul help- ing Bill to arrange sponsorship with
nominated someone who didn’t win this time then please nominate them again, remember it’s a different judging panel each year.
ADMINISTRATION WINNERS JOANNE ABSALOM,
BURLEIGH SMASH REPAIRS, QLD
Joanne started at Burleigh Smash Re- pairs just over eight years ago as a fill in book keeper/admin after a family trage- dy forced owner Bill Damme to take ex- tensive time away from the business.
Joanne knew nothing about cars ex- cept that her favourite was a Holden Commodore. Joanne is front of house