Shirley Coetzee retires

Gallery Video

MOSSEL BAY NEWS AND VIDEO - Staff of the Mossel Bay Advertiser this week said goodbye to a beloved colleague, Shirley Coetzee, who has resigned.

She served Group Editors, the company that owns the Advertiser, for a remarkable 30 years.

Her last day at the newspaper was Wednesday, 31 January.

Shirley's role of sales manager: Mossel Bay and Riversdale is now filled by Lizanne Schraader. It was an internal appointment.

Click here for a photo gallery.

At her farewell function held at The Gannet Café Restaurant in Mossel Bay this week, Shirley pointed out in her speech: "Half of my life was spent at the newspaper!

"My children 'grew up' at the Advertiser. Commending and thanking the Moolman family, who owns the Advertiser, she said: "I was allowed by the Moolmans to put my family first."

Peter Moolman, his wife Lesley and daughter Nicole Rimbault were present at the farewell, where it has difficult to hold back tears.

People struggled to speak with a lump in their throats.

Mossel Bay Advertiser editor Suzette Herrer said Shirley had been a "special friend, almost a sister" during their three decades of working together.

Emphasising the company's family values, Nicole, Group Editors operations director, reminisced about her as a little girl and mom Lesley attending one of Shirley's baby showers.

Peter, in his speech, recalled the early, pre-computer days of the newspaper, and having to move to different premises twice.

He said Shirley had taken these changes in her stride with great patience.

Staff at the Mossel Bay Advertiser.

Servaas de Kock, Group Editors sales and marketing director, said: “I had the privilege of working with Shirley for the last three years.

"It was such an incredible journey! Shirley was instrumental in the implementation of our group sales strategy, which has ensured extraordinary growth.

Watch a video below:

"Her commitment to Group Editors will always stand out as a highlight. She was more than a colleague.

"She was a friend and someone I could rely on. I will miss her a lot and wish her well with her retirement and know she is going to enjoy more time with her family.”

Recalling milestones in her working life, Shirley mentioned Servaas' arrival at Group Editors, not as a ''little wind", but a "tall tornado".

She said her daughter Michelle's winning of the Caxton Award for top salesperson in 2017 was a highlight as well as the renovation of the Mossel Bay Advertiser offices this past December and January.

Suzette Herrer, Deon Joubert and Shirley Coetzee were involved in moving the office at Mossel Bay.

Shirley's children Alwyn, Rumé and Michelle give their mom this message on her retirement: "We have been so privileged to have a mom who showed us that you can be a great wife, awesome mother, brilliant at work, a phenomenal friend and so much more!