If you’re a Brimbank resident, chances are you’ve met Jeanette Bryden. The 61-year-old has worked at Brimbank council for more than four decades, including 20 years in customer service. Ms Bryden, who retired last month, tells Charlene Macaulay about her love of the area.
What’s your connection to Brimbank?
As I worked with the Keilor council, which then became Brimbank council, for almost 42 years, I have seen it grow into a vibrant city. In the early years, a lot of Brimbank was only paddocks.
What do you like about the city?
I love the fact it consists of many cultural backgrounds with its people living, on the whole, quite harmoniously. I love what they bring to our city, which is very vibrant because of it.
If you could change one thing about Brimbank, what would it be and why?
Graffiti, I regard it as a lack of respect for other people’s property.
You recently retired from the city council after more than 41 years. What roles did you hold over those four decades and what made you stay there so long?
I started as a records clerk. After six months I transferred to finance and became a debtors’ clerk and a few years later I applied for a position in the rates department.
All of these positions were prior to the introduction of computers so every task was completed manually. In the early ’80s I applied for a position in the local laws area to set up and manage the recording of infringements and pets onto newly introduced computer software. For my last 20 years of service I worked in the customer service department, first as a customer service officer and in the later years as a customer service enhancement officer.
What are your retirement plans?
Catching up with family and friends, and lots of travelling.
What’s your favourite Brimbank eatery or place to get coffee?
In my earlier years I worked at the Keilor office and always visited Caffe Dolce, which is near there. As for a favourite restaurant, I wouldn’t like to offend any of the great Vietnamese restaurants in St Albans and Sunshine; they all have great dishes.
