If you have ever been into Direct Chemist Outlet at Ocean Grove Marketplace, chances are you have spoken to Ann Rantall.
Ann’s smiling face and unbridled enthusiasm have greeted customers for more than 15 years.
Ann will retire early next month, much to the disappointment of her work colleagues and customers.
“I’m very ready,” Ann said.
“The last 16 years working there with Matt (Pittwood) and the team have been wonderful, but the time has come to say goodbye.”
Ann started pharmacy work in Camperdown when she was 18.
She met her husband Ronnie and moved to Ocean Grove in her early 20s, where she worked at Geoff Brentnall’s pharmacy on The Terrace for more than 20 years.
Ann and Ronnie have two children, Sally and Matt, and two grandchildren, Kenzie and Billie.
Ann started at Direct Chemist Outlet Ocean Grove in 2004, loves to socialise and makes an effort to remember everyone’s name in Ocean Grove – sometimes over three or four generations.
Ann has recently moved to the Lifestyle retirement village in Ocean Grove and said she will miss all her customers and workmates.
“Working at DCO has been really good,” Ann said.
“We have a laugh, it’s been a great place to work. Never any tension.
“I will miss all my team members there, but I’ll catch up with them all.”
Ann’s customers have been horrified to hear that she is retiring.
“They’ve been telling me ‘but you can’t go’,” she said.
DCO owner and manager Matt Pitwood said Ann would be missed.
“We will miss Ann’s enthusiasm to help people and keep things running smoothly in any way she can,” he said.
“After Tuesday, February 2, it will be very quiet without her.
“On behalf of staff and customers we wish Ann all the best in retirement.”
Ann plans to do more travelling with Ronnie.
“We’ll do a lot of short trips within Victoria and northern New South Wales, but we’ll stick fairly close to home,” she said.
“Why would you want to live anywhere else but Ocean Grove?”
Justin Flynn
