END OF AN ERA: After 44 years at Rossies Supermarket, Frank Hams will step down as butchery manager at the end of this month. Picture: Anthony Stipo
AFTER 44 years the man behind some of the tastiest T-bones and most succulent snags in Griffith will hang up his apron.
Frank Hams started work as the assistant butcher at Rossies Supermarket in 1968 back when the original store was known as Four Square.
It was a rapid rise to the top for the 26-year-old, who was elevated to manager after only two weeks on the job.
“The chap who was manager at the time left and I got his job mainly because I was the only applicant who knew what they were doing,” Mr Hams said.
“I’d already worked as a butcher for J T Condon.
“I started here about 18 months after it opened. I think the fact that I’ve been here so long means that I’ve been pretty happy.
“They allowed me to run the meat department pretty much as I pleased and I appreciated that. I treated it as if it was my own business.”
Over the years, Mr Hams has seen a lot of changes, but one thing that has remained the same is his passion for helping make Griffith barbecues a success.
“It has been an experience,” he said.
“We’ve always prided ourselves on personal service.
“In the early days when we had the yard going properly and the abattoirs here I’d go out to the cattle sales on Wednesdays and the sheep sales on Friday.
“We make sure our product is as fresh as possible, if it’s not up to scratch it doesn’t make it into the cabinet.
“I’m going to miss it. It’s been a huge part of my life. To see the place start out small and end up what it is today has been great.
Rossies owner Tony Jones said the affable, hardworking employee would definitely be missed.
“We plan to keep everything as Frank has it, he said. “If it isn’t broken, why fix it.”
“Frank has run one of the most successful butcher departments in the whole Foodworks group.
“We have appreciated all of his hard work over the years and wish him the very best.”
