Tania Irwin

Tania Irwin was born at the Barmera Hospital and lived in Glossop for 1 year before moving to Berri.

As a proud home grown Riverlander, growing up right near the Berri oval, Tania spent her childhood enjoying long days playing outside.

“Growing up near the oval was great! We treated the oval like a big backyard, we were always playing on it with the neighbour’s kids.”

Before starting with Almondco Tania spent 22 years at Angas Park. Initially her role was sorting dried fruit, before joining the QC team. During this time she would also work weekends in the Angas Park shop. Tania also spent a short stint of 9 months at the Berri club as a waitress.

Tania’s journey with Almondco started on February 17th 2010.

“I was a sorter for 3 days then went to QC doing checks in the sorting room. After 6 months I had learnt all the other QC positions. 6 months later I started working in the micro lab and really loved it and was made permanent after 1 year.”

Tania’s current role in the QC department is as 2IC to Julie Frankcom and leading hand to the QC team. She also helps-out in the micro lab when it is busy.

When asked what she remembers about the early days and how things have changed over the past decade, Tania recalls a more basic work environment.

“I remember doing QC checks behind the sorting room under the hoppers. It was all done on paper (no computers) It was great when we got a table in the sorting room.“

“Today we have a new lab for the other QC checks and computers for all stations. We use UPLC machines to test for Aflatoxin and in the last 2 years added Ochratoxin to the testing.”

Outside of work Tania’s time is taken up mostly cooking, reading and doing cross stitch.

Tania’s warm nature, hardworking and methodical approach has been a great addition to the Almondco QC team and we congratulate her on 10 years of service.