DOZENS of employees of various archdiocesan vicariates joined The Catholic Leader’s Debbie Preuss (pictured) when she marked 30 years of service on March 13.
The much-loved and respected employee, responsible for distribution and accounts, first began with Leader Press on March 13, 1978, when it operated from Fortitude Valley.
Working with five editors, Debbie has seen the paper evolve over the years, but herself has remained the same, according to friend and colleague since 1983, Margaret Nixon of Brisbane Archdiocesan Services.
“She’s the same Debbie as she’s always been … very kind, always organising and very happy-go-lucky.”
Administration and marketing manager Michael Kidd described his co-worker of almost 15 years as “the soul of the team”.
“We couldn’t’ ask for anyone more dedicated than Debbie. She is renowned for putting The Leader first, above all else,” he said.
Debbie’s husband Frank was also present at the March 13 morning tea in the St Stephen’s Cathedral precinct’s Francis Rush Centre. He calculated that his wife had folded 150,000 invoices throughout the 30 years.