City’s friendly faces

Bunny Brown

Photo: Matthew Newton

I USED to live in Toowoomba from 1985-95, and our kids went to school here and then we moved to Brisbane.

I worked in Myer at that time. I worked in Brisbane for 20 years, then retired, and then got lured back to Toowoomba to work for Chanel. Which I did, and now I work for Longchamp.

I came back to Toowoomba in January last year. It’s a really nice city and it’s got everything in it, beautiful trees and gardens.

It’s changed incredibly from the 80s and 90s. It’s got 10 times more people and terrific restaurants and there’s everything here.

As for other changes, the development is massive. Just massive. Despite that, it’s still really nice. I still really like it.

We’re happy being here because there’s everything that you need. And it’s only an hour and a half to Brisbane anyway.

I grew up in western Queensland, in Clermont, in the bush. I went to school in Brisbane, and lived in Sydney for years and years.

Robyn Kaddatz

I’VE been in Toowoomba 32 years, and I’ve been married 32 years.

I worked at Myer for seven years, mainly in the homewares area.

I love it because we’re just a little family or a good team. We’re always going out for meals. I didn’t always work at Myer. I was a stay-at-homemother for 17 years and found it very hard to get back into the workforce.

But there was an old manager that was here back then, and she gave me the opportunity.

To this day I love her to death. She was the best trainer, yeah.

I love Toowoomba for its simple lifestyle.

Christine Mears

I WAS born in Toowoomba but lived away a lot and came home. Toowoomba’s home.

What I love about Toowoomba is that the family is here.

I love the diversity, the culture, the beauty, and the community, and the feel of a regional city.

I’ve lived in other states, all over Australia. I lived in New Zealand for a while. I went for a stint over in India for three months.

What led me to India? Just a yearning to travel, and to explore and see how different cultures live and yeah, it was a wonderful experience. Three months – it was fantastic. I started here in Myer as a Christmas casual last year and the Myer team has kept me on.

Michael Hauser

I HAVE worked in Myer for over 25 years. I’ve been in Toowomba since I was seven.

I came up from Brisbane with the family at about the age of seven and have been here ever since.

I went to Glenvale School and now my children are going through there, and yeah, I’ve been at Myer since I was 14 and haven’t looked back.

I’ve filled a variety of different rolls. I’m currently in the visual merchandising team.

The city has changed drastically over the years. It’s been interesting.

We’re based out at Glenvale and just seeing the buildings pop up and the housing developments and everything like that pop up around us we’ve lived in the same place for 16 years - and just seeing everything build up has been amazing watching it happen.

One thing I like about Toowoomba is the friendly people – it’s great.

CITY PRIDE: Sharing a love of Toowoomba are Myer’s (back) Michael Hauser and (front, from left) Bunny Brown, Christine Mears and Robyn Kaddatz. We live here ‘cos we love it!