Robert is the last line of defence
WHEN it comes to quality control on the packed meat being exported all around the world, he’s the last person to pick up on any problems.
“The boxes come around and I make sure that the labelling is correct and make sure they’re in top condition, that there aren’t any bones sticking out,” Robert said, looking like a bloke who takes extraordinary pride in the way he does his job.
“That’s very important to me, if I see something wrong I chuck it aside real quick, Fletchers reputation is riding on my shoulders – it makes me feel awesome to have that responsibility.”
Robert spent 10 years chasing trolleys at shopping centres, he said he wouldn’t swap his years at Fletchers for any other job.
“I like it out here the bosses are really good, you just do your job right, I just love it out here,” Robert said.
“The whole atmosphere, the bosses, the very friendly workmates around me, everyone treats you so good.
“The training’s real good, when you start, you get to do the theory work in the classroom first, that’s real good,” he said.
One major factor is the fluid nature of the workplace, where there are so many jobs on offer and the ability to be able to shift from one area to another.
“I’ve done a few different jobs, it’s pretty good being moved around now and then, you only have to say something to the boss about what you’re interested in doing and that,” Robert said.
“I love what I do every day, I’m in love with it, it’s never boring, and I totally love it, every day I look forward to.
So much so, during a six week stint in hospital for an operation and recovery period, he was constantly on social media telling his mates he hated the enforced break from work.
“I was in hospital for an operation and I was on Facebook to my mates telling them I wanted to be here,” Robert said.
He likes the fact that what he does in his working life reflects well on Dubbo from an international perspective, as well as the fact the operation provides such a safety net for the local economy.
“Fletchers is very important to Dubbo, all these boxes go all over the world from Dubbo, it’s very important to the families in Dubbo who rely on these jobs, Dubbo would be very different if Fletchers wasn’t here,” he said.