Richard Herden honoured with Pride of Workmanship award

RICHARD Herden’s dedication to excellent customer service has seen him honoured with the Rotary Club of Narrabri’s Pride of Workmanship award.

The club’s annual award, which celebrates excellence in the workplace, was announced at a presentation dinner last week.

Rotary Club of Narrabri vice-president Di Ainsworth, left, and vocation director Tricia Hadley, right, with awards finalists Fiona Fogarty and Kylie Schwager.

Richard, of McKechnie Bros Home Hardware, is known for going the extra mile for customers.

Three finalists were also celebrated, including Fiona Fogarty, Kylie Rood-England and Kylie Schwager.

The Pride of Workmanship Award is an ongoing community program that honours employees, volunteers and business owners who live by the motto “Do it once – do it well”.

The award is designed to acknowledge an employee, irrespective of age or vocation, who, in the eyes of their employer, displays outstanding qualities in terms of approach, attitude, dedication and commitment to their job. Started in 1976 by the ⁠Rotary Club of Pennant Hills in Australia, it is not a competitive contest, but rather a public way to say thank you for dedication, ethics and high job standards.

Richard, a partner in the family-owned McKechnie Bros, was praised at last week’s dinner as a highly respected locksmith.

He has built a reputation for outstanding workmanship, professionalism and unwavering commitment to the people of Narrabri.

Throughout his career, Richard has consistently gone above and beyond what could reasonably be expected of him. His work is never simply about repairing locks or cutting keys; it is about helping people feel safe and secure.

He approaches every job with care, patience and genuine concern for those he serves.

Fiona Fogarty’s greatest contribution is not measured by the work she completes herself, but by the lives she quietly changes.

Alongside her exceptional technical role, Fiona devotes countless unpaid hours supporting international students and their families as they establish new lives in Narrabri. She helps them find homes, learn to drive, navigate schools, settle into the community and feel they belong.

She also invests heavily in local work experience students, creating meaningful learning opportunities that inspire future careers. Fiona leads with kindness, humility and generosity, consistently putting others before herself and strengthening both our workplace and our wider community.

Kylie Rood-England has stepped up into family business, Your Photos Framed, and has turned her hand from photo printing to making frames.

Pride of Workmanship award finalist Kylie Rood-England.

She is eager to help people, demonstrates patience and understands what the customer wants and needs.

Kylie often goes above and beyond to complete customers’ wishes.

She is also community minded and helpful in supporting the community and its people.

The final finalist, Kylie Schwager, is Pride in Workmanship personified.

As the second-in-charge frontend at Woolworths Narrabri, chances are you’ve experienced Kylie’s amazing customer service.

Kylie’s cheery disposition, respectful, authentic and caring manner, both with customers and her team members, leaves a lasting impression and makes her a team favourite and valued employee.

Nothing appears to be too much trouble for Kylie.

She engages in conversation with her customers and is happy to share hints, recipes, ideas and information on products and promotions.

Kylie makes the shopping experience better, every time, and is a worthy contender for the Pride of Workmanship 2026 award.

The Rotary Club of Narrabri is encouraging people to start thinking about nominations for the 2027 award.