When Estelle Courtney was first asked to take a position cleaning the Nelson Superloo, her initial reaction was ‘no thank you’.
Five years on, the 65-year old says it has been the highlight of her career and has no plans to give it up.
OCS New Zealand employee Estelle has become a somewhat recognisable figure in the Nelson community, and one that has the ability to bring a smile to people’s faces with her infectious positivity.
“My role is so much more than cleaning. I just love meeting the people that come through every day from all walks of life and parts of the world. I have the chance to make a real difference in their lives – it’s all about valuing people.”
Estelle was one of more than 40,000 cleaners across the country who were celebrated as part of ‘Thank Your Cleaner Day’ last week.
Estelle is well known for the daily fresh flowers that adorn the Montgomery Square Superloo and says, if her garden is lacking, she buys flowers from the shop, so they are not missed.
But it’s the extra mile she takes for people in need where Estelle’s community spirit and work ethic really shines.
She has taken visitors into her home on multiple occasions after hearing of their strife while travelling, but she says that’s just her nature.
“Kindness is so important, I’ve had so many people in there from all walks of life and you’d never believe the dark places that they can be in. Sometimes just a friendly face and someone who cares just makes life so much easier, and it doesn’t cost anything.”
She says she wants the superloo to be a place anyone feels comfortable coming to, no matter what the problem is.
She has even taken the initiative to have spare clothes behind the counter.
Nelson City Council group manager community services, Andrew White, says Estelle’s service goes way beyond her job description and she has helped foster a sense of community.
“Estelle was a finalist in the community hero category of our civic awards in 2019 and I think that shows just how much she is valued by the people of Nelson,” he says.
Estelle says Covid has proven just how important cleaning is and encourages people to consider it as a fulfilling job opportunity.
“We need and deserve to be valued, and I really am, OCS is such a great company to work for.
“I’m rich in this job.”
