By Dongyun Kwon
A Yarra Valley resident was surprised at the Pride of Workmanship Award Night on Thursday 10 October.
Shelli Johanson, who has lived in the Valley for over 30 years, got recognition for her consistent good attitude on work as well as her love for the Valley through the Healesville Rotary Club’s Pride of Workmanship Award.
Ms Johanson is a customer relations officer at Bendigo Community Bank Healesville and was nominated by the bank manager Keeley Mahoney.
“Keeley nominated me for the award but didn’t tell me,” she said.
“I had no idea until the Rotary Club came and told me.”
Ms Johanson began her banking career with the State Bank of Victoria Warburton branch in 1988.
She was with them through the take-over by the Commonwealth Bank in 1990 and left the bank in 2000.
“I felt like it was time for change, so I left banking,” the award recipient said.
“After I left banking, I worked for different companies, working in bookkeeping and administration until 2014 and came back to banking.
“I’ve worked for Bendigo Bank Healesville Branch since then because it’s local which suited my family life.”
As a customer relations officer, she deals with customer-focused transactions like opening new accounts and account maintenance except for lending.
“I enjoy working with the customers very much,” Ms Johanson said.
Her love for the Valley has been indicated through all the different activities that she has participated in for the local community groups.
She is on the committee of many local community organizations including Healesville RSL, Healesville Netball Club and Healesville High School.
Ms Johanson said she is currently the treasurer of Healesville RSL.
“I was asked to join the RSL and believe in what they do for the welfare of servicemen. I’ve got involved in Healesville Netball Club because my daughter plays netball and I’m on the school council of Healesville High School because my daughter goes to that school,” she said.
“I’m on the Badger Creek Old School committee as well, which is the little building used as a public hall now.
“My husband and I run a small social group, Black Spur 4WD Club, and we do a lot of camping, caravaning and driving in the bush.”
