Going strong after 50 years at the pumps

GEORGE NEWS - For 50 years, Erika Treurnicht has greeted motorists in George with a smile, a friendly word and a helping hand.

What began as a casual job as a petrol attendant in 1976, when she was just 15, has become a lifelong calling, says Treurnicht.

Pregnant and forced to leave school, she faced a difficult start in life. A family member helped her find work at the then Caltex York Motors. She would eventually spend most of the 50 years here, interspersed by stints at three other garages. She returned to the same location, now Astron York Filling Station, 23 years ago. "I'm thankful that I've never been without a job," she says.

Over the years, she has watched clients' children grow up and return with families of their own. Today she serves three generations of one of these families.

It's a hard job with 12-hour shifts on your feet. She remembers the day when a customer held her hand through the car window with these kind words: "Aunty, you do so much for us. Thank you."

Treurnicht says when she went home that night, she cried, because she was so grateful for the encouragement, as she was going through a difficult time. "I may not make a big difference, but I make a little difference every day. If I can make one person's day a little better, then I've done my job."

Chats with clients are about everyday things like rugby and the weather. "If the weather is beautiful, we're grateful. If it rains, we say the dam needs it. They're not deep conversations, just conversations from the heart."

Mamma E and her biker, Whaks, who takes her on motorcycle rallies. Photo: Supplied

Her personal life has not always been easy. There were financial struggles, the uncertainty of the Covid pandemic and the responsibilities of being a mother and grandmother, mostly on her own after her divorce. She is proud of her son, daughter and four grandchildren.

"My faith and my family's support helped me to keep going on. I'm proud that I've been able to raise my children and grandchildren through honest, hard work. They can say that their grandmother worked for 50 years and never gave up. I own a six-room house, and it is fully paid off. I'm very proud of my little home."

In her free time, she goes to the gym, cleans her house and likes to work in her garden. But her greatest treat is motorcycle rallies. "I'm a biker girl without a bike!" she laughs. "I don't have my own bike, but I have my own biker - a kind young man who lets me ride with him! Everyone calls me Mamma E, and he is Whaks."

When Whaks, or Lewellyn Fernol, fires up his bright red motorcycle, she doesn't need an invitation to jump on behind him. Then off they go on the long road to wherever a rally beckons!

Her 50-year milestone elicited a stream of compliments on Facebook, where clients called her "always the same - friendly and professional", "a pillar of strength" and "an iron lady."

Erika Treurnicht with her daughter. Photo: Supplied

In a message, the Astron York Filling Station management said Treurnicht has distinguished herself as an excellent employee. "Her dedication to her work, professional conduct and willingness to always give her best make her a true asset to the business."

She is currently holding the post of supervisor.

Treurnicht says a simple life can be very rich. "You don't have to do great things to live a great life. You simply have to do little things with love every day, for 50 years."