Toula bids emotional farewell
Engraver of over 30 years shuts up her shop in city
TOULA’S Engraving has been at the heart of the Toowoomba community for the best part of 30 years.
But after a long career in the trade she picked up from her father, Toula Elliot is preparing to put down her engraving pen for the final time.
Ms Elliot has officially shut up shop as she prepares for a new adventure and a new career.
“Times are tough for small business and I didn’t find I was surviving very well financially,” she said.
“It was time to move on from this little shop. It is just hard making a living with a small business and if you’ve got a mortgage it is just expensive to live.
“This isn’t a very busy location.”
Ms Elliot has worked out of numerous stores across the Garden City since first picking up a job with her father.
Reflecting on her time in the industry, the master engraver said it would be a sad day when she finally
❝I really like the fresh air and the sunshine and I liked having my own little world. — Toula Elliot
walks through the door for the final time.
But with the ending of one chapter, comes the beginning of another.
“I have already pretty much closed the chapter,” Ms Elliot said.
“I have been working full time for the last three months now and I am part of a team and I am busy all day.
“It is so different from the life I had here.”
Her new career will see Ms Elliot take a different path from the one she has known for over three decades.
Ms Elliot will miss a lot of things when she leaves, the people, her work but there is one thing in particular she have a hard time saying goodbye to.
“I really like the fresh air and the sunshine and I liked having my own little world,” she said.
“I do love being with other people.”
Toula Elliot is an anomaly in 2017.
While most people will change jobs numerous times within years, Ms Elliot has stuck around for longer than some people have been alive.
When asked what has kept her around for so long, her answer is simple.
“I just love people,” Ms Elliot said.
“I loved having my special interactions with my special customers.
“It’s always been an enjoyable occupation.”