‘Little’ shop shines on national stage

Waroona’s family-owned hardware store has been recognised as one of the best in the country.

Home Timber and Hardware’s Waroona branch won the national award for Home Store of the Year at a ceremony in Brisbane this month.

One of the store’s owners Mike Walmsley said he was “ecstatic” about the win.

“We were the State winners a few months ago and now we have won the national award as well,” Mr Walmsley said.

“It’s nice that a little hardware store in Waroona has been recognised as one of the best in Australia.”

Mr Walmsley, who received the award on behalf of the store’s four owners, said the win came down to hard work and team efforts.

Co-owners Mark and Barbara Hiller held the fort back at the Waroona branch while Mr Walmsley and his wife Donna attended the Queensland conference and awards ceremony.

“Mark and Barb work really hard,” Mr Walmsley said.

“This award if a nice reflection on all the staff as well.

“It’s the support from the locals too which makes it all worthwhile.”

WA stores faired well in general at the awards, with all theState’s branches being receiving the company’s Village award in recognition of the way the stores work together.