Trish Mullen snared the first-ever ‘Check-it-Out’ competition, which was designed to give people from a less academically-trained background an opportunity to show their writing talents.

Ms Mullen was stunned she had won the event and extremely pleased she had the courage to enter.

“I wrote a story but I didn’t submit it until the last day because I just didn’t think it was good enough, but obviously I’m happy I did now,” she said.

Her story, Pension Day Proposal, which was a real-life event she witnessed, followed the progress of a love-struck elderly man who had overcome a health scare, and was motivated not to let another second slip idly by. 

Her recount of the situation moved the judges and drew everybody into the moment according to Jen Tomasetti, who had the chance to listen to Ms Mullen’s tale.

Ms Tomasetti was also the person who came up with the idea of Check-it-Out, and said she was thoroughly impressed with the response.

“I was thinking it shouldn’t be an exclusive festival,” she explained.

“Everyone in the community should be a part of it, and perhaps in getting the people who work at places like Woolworths to come along, then there might be some great stories there.

“And, they might be able to tap into their creative side and discover that they love writing.

“I was surprised with the quality of all of them, but Trish’s story encapsulated the generous spirit of the people who work in the supermarkets up here.”

She is hopeful more people will be inspired to partake in the event next year and believes everyone has a story to tell and there’s no harm in putting yourself out there. 

Pension Day Proposal:

It was Pension Day and the over 60’s are heading to Woolies for the mid morning peak hour rush to get the groceries, have a chat about the drought and catch up with friends.

An elderly gentlemen came to my checkout #3, he had the grin of a Cheshire cat on his face, beaming from ear to ear.  I said, “Good morning, you are looking very happy today”.  He smiled back and said he had just been to the doctors and been given the all clear on his cancer and was going to propose to his lady friend (he couldn’t ask her before because her first husband had died of cancer and he didn’t want to put her through that again). He looked about the same age as my Dad when he unfortunately lost his battle with cancer. Without even thinking I came around the checkout and asked if I could give him a hug and be the first to congratulate him on his wonderful news. It was really touching and made my day.

He put his groceries in the car and returned to the store and bought a huge bouquet of beautiful flowers and started walking towards checkout #3. This time I’m serving a lovely lady in a green scarf and having a chat about her dogs. The elderly man approaches her trolley and shakily gets down on one knee, hands the bouquet of flowers to her and says:

“My darling, I love you with all my heart, will you marry me and make me the happiest man on earth”.

She starts crying and says YES. The people queing behind are cheering and clapping. Other customers and staff wondering what all the commotion is about join in the celebration, everyone is so happy.

The elderly man is having trouble getting back on his feet so I help him up and get another hug and one from the lady in the green scarf too. Everyone starts pulling out there phones and taking selfies with the happy couple and congratulating them.

I haven’t seen them again but am always hoping on the off chance I might. You never know where just saying a simple “Hello” will take you and what interesting stories you will hear and witness.

This has been one of many great moments in my life that make me smile. I hope when you read this you will smile too.