Family Matters At Middy's

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Hear from Graham and his two children, about working at Middy's.

In light of Father's Day on Sunday 3 September, we spoke with Graham and his two children, Rachael and Aaron, about what it's like to all work at Middy's.

Graham Hewitt (Father) - Inventory Manager

Tell us about your career with Middy’s so far?
I started with Middy's some 37 years ago as a young 19-year-old from the country. I was employed as a trainee Manager and spent some time in Head Office at Dudley Street, Melbourne. From there I went out into the branches and learnt many facets of the business. After a couple of stints at another wholesaler and a supplier, I returned to Middy's and have been back 20 years. I started back as a Sales Rep at the Blackburn branch, then became a manager for three years there. After that, for just on 10 years, I was employed as a Regional Sales Manager before moving into my current role as Inventory Manager for the Business.

What does it mean for you to work with your family in a large, family owned Australian business?
Working with my children has had its challenges but knowing they are learning many family values makes me proud. Their mother was also employed by Middy's many years ago so there has always been a strong connection there. Both kids have had a strong understanding of how the Middy's family respects and treats their employees throughout my working career. It wasn’t hard to talk them into joining the Middy's family considering the conversations and what they saw growing up.

Are there ever any challenges or tricky situations because you all work for Middy’s?
No as both Rachael and Aaron are at different levels of there employment. Although it does bring out a friendly contest about who can sell the most and out do each other.

Would you recommend working for the same company to other families?
Yes, I would, Middy's can always offer a career with there training offering, diverse fields within the business and as I have always told both Rachael and Aaron, what you put into you job will determine what you get out of it.

What’s the most rewarding part about working for the same company as your children?
Knowing that they are happy, enjoying what they do and knowing that they are gaining life experiences.

What have your children taught you both career wise with Middy’s and in your personal life?
That is hard to answer but both Rachael and Aaron are helping me understand that younger electricians have different values and expectations in the market these days. My children are teaching me new things every day. "The world doesn’t stop still" and "always adapt and adjust to new technologies" are their favourite sayings.

Rachael Hewitt (Daughter) - Inventory Officer at Middy's Traralgon

Tell us about your career with Middy’s so far?
My career with Middy’s started 9 years ago at the age of 17 at Middy’s Ringwood helping out on Saturdays cleaning, stocking shelves and reorganising the showroom. Soon after I began helping the Inventory team in various roles. Travelling around to different branches to help with their bin maintenance, labels, shelf organisation and stock take preparations. This role led me to Middy’s Eltham in 2019 where I stayed for 12 months helping with various roles within the branch including counter sales, quotes and store driver. In January 2020, I relocated to Middy’s Rowville where I would resume as counter sales and later take on Inventory Officer. Towards the end of 2021 I decided it was time for me to move out of metro Melbourne and transferred to Middy’s Traralgon where I am today in the role of Inventory Officer and helping out with some project work.

What does it mean for you to work with your family in a large, family owned Australian business?
It is pretty special knowing all members of my immediate family have worked at Middy’s at some stage in their careers and the stories that can be shared between us. Mum and Dad met at Middy's which is pretty special now since both of us children are working where it all began. The sense of family runs deep at Middy’s and is something I will always appreciate and treasure. Certainly a feeling I don’t think you would find anywhere else.

Are there any challenges or tricky situations because you all work for Middy’s?
Oh, absolutely there is. Calling Dad “Graham” rather than “Dad” took some time getting used to and remembering not all conversations need to be work related, ha ha! The biggest challenge was working out whose work polos and jackets belonged to whom when it came time to putting the washing away. But for the most part it is pretty cool working with your family.

Would you recommend working for the same company to other families?
There is no simple answer to this question as it could go either way. For the likes of us, absolutely. We are all in different branches and roles within the company so it works quite well. We learn from each other and grow in our respective roles and no two days or branches are the same.

What lessons has your Dad taught you along the way?
Whether it’s career wise with Middy’s or just good life lessons? Dad has taught me to stand up and fight for what you believe in, to always do your stock take preparation and that you will always get out what you put in.

How has Middy’s contributed to your sense of family?
Loyalty and making sure that everyone is heard and seen. My Dad has a very strong personality and has always taught me that respect, loyalty and caring for others is important. Going away on some work weekends and seeing how Nicholas and Anton treat their staff and include everyone has given me a sense of worth. They consider us all a part of the Middendorp extended family.

Aaron Hewitt (Son) - Counter Sales at Middy's Blackburn

Tell us about your career with Middy’s so far?
During my school years Dad dragged me along to help with some new Middy's branch set ups. When helping I was mostly folding shelf boxes and listening to my music. When I pestered him enough, he showed me how to do some bin maintenance and it all grew from that. I decided during the COVID years that school wasn’t for me and I got a full-time job at Middy's Blackburn on the counter which led to my new role in purchasing.

What does it mean for you to work with your family in a large, family owned Australian business?
It's really good, we are close as a family. As a little kid I would sometimes go to Middy's events so in some ways Middy's was in my blood from a very young age. The Middy's family has helped Dad during some tough times, this has always stood out to me. Dad is always reminding us that family is the most important thing.

Are there any challenges or tricky situations because you all work for Middy’s?
Sometimes it is a power play between Rachael and I. I love to sell and basically, I tell Rachael how good I am. Overall, we talk about work very little and when we do, I am always right.

Would you recommend working for the same company to other families?
We've had no problems at all, the companies’ morals and beliefs are in-line with mine. Middy's offer various opportunities and have always been good to me and the family.

What lessons has your dad taught you along the way? Whether it’s career wise with Middy’s or just good life lessons?
Enjoy what you do and if you don’t, find something else to do. Treat people the same way you want to be treated and always offer any form of help you can. Dad is a strong believer in challenging yourself whether at work or outside of work. "No" is a word that Dad has really shown me doesn’t exist. He has taken on many things outside of work which have helped others, for example, his passion for local footy is crazy. To Dad, his family and extended family and friends, has shown me what the word family really means.

How has Middy’s contributed to your sense of family?
Much the same as Dad’s beliefs, be true to yourself and those around you. If you do that good things will come your way.