Michelle, 46, started working at Kmart Maitland in February 1993, under the umbrella of Cessnock-based disability employment provider Caloola Vocational Services.

Caloola has a partnership with Kmart Maitland to give people with disability the opportunity to work as a retail assistant.

Michelle catches the bus to work in Maitland four days a week, and her role involves stock handling, cleaning and arranging shelves and displays.

Michelle’s mother Sonja recalled how happy her daughter was when she got the job at Kmart, and that she is still just as enthusiastic today.

“It has been really good for her, she has made a lot of good friends working there,” Sonja said.

“She comes back from holidays and wants to go to work.”

Kmart Maitland manager Scott Branch and his staff had a special morning tea for Michelle on February 22, to acknowledge and celebrate her 25 years of working at the store.

Michelle said she loves working at Kmart and told her manager she might work another 25 years.