The Man's Message
Established 2003 | "Tetritus fortis sine gym"
Friday, March 21, 2025
Crew Of The Weeks
Leaving no customer service stone un-turned and ticking just about every box there is, Ben Rogers and Ronny MacKinnon are this issue's COTW with their customer practically nominating them directly.
“I am writing to express my sincere gratitude and nominate Ben and Ronnie from Man with a Van removals for the Employee of the Month award. Their recent service was outstanding and truly exceeded my expectations. From the moment they arrived, Ben and Ronnie were professional, courteous, and incredibly efficient. They handled my belongings with the utmost care, ensuring everything was safely loaded and unloaded. Their positive attitude and willingness to go the extra mile made a potentially stressful experience surprisingly smooth and even enjoyable.
They worked seamlessly together, demonstrating excellent communication and a strong commitment to customer satisfaction. Their attention to detail and dedication to providing top-notch service were evident throughout the entire process. I highly recommend Man with a Van removals, and especially commend Ben and Ronnie for their exceptional work. They are a true asset to your company and deserve to be recognised for their outstanding contributions.”
Ask and ye shall receive, outstanding work you two, come catch Jack Tandy around the depot to collect your reward.
Health & Safety Representative
And his name is Lance Gannon. Shake his hand as he passes you up the stairs.
At 7am on Tuesday, 18th March, Lance was officially elected unanimously and unopposed as the new HSR for the Abbotsford depot.
Over the course of the campaign, Lance advocated for a tough approach to compliance and structural reform to make MWAV as safe a workplace as it can possibly be.
Once Lance has completed his HSR training course, he will join existing Health & Safety Reps, Thom Lidgerwood (ABB) & Graeme MacLean (CRAN), and looks forward to working harmoniously in an outcomes based approach with both of them.
Praise Liftos™
Break it up... with a break
If your shift is longer than 5.5 hours, you must take a continuous 30 minute lunch break between 3.5 - 5.5 hours of that shift. This is enshrined in law so you must take it.
The management team have received reports that some members of staff have been pressuring their teammates to work through and wait to take their lunch break at the end of the day or sometimes not at all. This behaviour is unacceptable and will not be tolerated. You must take your lunch break.
If you have felt pressured to not take a lunch break, please let the management team know via managers@manwithavan.com.au or through the anonymous suggestion box.
Be the light in the dark
With the days getting shorter & shorter and only two weeks of Daylight Saving remaining, it is important that we movers on the road can be seen by all and sundry.
If you're out on the street and the sun has either yet to fully emerge or is setting for the evening, wear your Hi-Viz vests. This will increase your likelihood of remaining safe on the job and decrease the chance of a reckless person claiming "I couldn't see them."
"Hi-Viz" is short for "high-visibility".
Dolly Doctor
Dolly Doctor: Should Each Truck Have an Extra Dolly?
Hey Dolly Doc, I work in furniture removals, and there’s been a bit of a debate at work. Should each truck have an extra dolly to help move furniture? Some say it’s a game-changer, others think it’s overkill. What do you think?
- Heavy Lifting in Heidelberg
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Hey Heavy Lifting,
Great question! And honestly, it’s one that could save a lot of backs (and possibly friendships) on moving day.
Think of dollies like really good mates - when you’ve got the right one around, everything feels easier. An extra dolly can help speed up the job, reduce strain on the team, and make tricky moves way more manageable. Plus, it’s always handy to have a backup in case one goes MIA (because, let’s be real, they tend to wander off like socks in the wash).
But before you start decking out every truck with extra gear, consider space and necessity. If the truck is already fully stocked and the team is managing fine, it might not be essential. But if you’re regularly struggling with heavy or bulky furniture, an extra dolly could be a total lifesaver. Maybe trial it on a few trucks and see how much of a difference it makes!
Bottom line? More support = happier movers. Your back will thank you.
Stay strong & lift smart,
Dolly Doc 💖
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Thanks Dolly Doc,
After a successful trial, all trucks are now equipped with two dollies. Let the good times (and secured furniture) roll smoothly.
- (formerly) Heavy Lifting (now) Loads Lighter in Heidelberg
S(ew)age Advice
Dolly Doctor: Workplace Toilet Trauma!
Hey Dolly Doc, Absolute disaster - I blocked the toilet at work over the weekend, and I panicked. Instead of fixing it, I just slapped an “Out of Order” sign on the door and bolted. But now I feel guilty (and also terrified someone will figure out it was me). How do I save myself from embarrassment if this ever happens again?
- Flushed and Freaked Out
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Hey Flushed and Freaked,
Oh, honey. First of all - deep breaths. This is literally everyone’s worst nightmare, but you are NOT alone. Plumbing mishaps happen to the best of us, and the trick is handling it like a pro instead of leaving a depot mystery for the ages.
Next time, don’t panic! If you can, do a quick damage assessment. Most work bathrooms have a plunger hiding somewhere - MWAV has one in the bathroom lobby - use it like a hero, and no one ever has to know. If it’s a lost cause, discreetly alert someone who can actually fix it (like Depot Manager Richie or Morning Manager Dylan). A quiet “Hey, I think there’s an issue in the bathroom” is way better than a full-blown crime scene cover-up.
And if it’s too late for damage control? Own it with confidence. “Looks like the plumbing’s having a rough day!” is far better than suspicious silence. Remember - everyone’s been there, and trust me, your coworkers will appreciate honesty over mystery blockage conspiracies.
Stay calm, flush wisely, and may the plumbing always be in your favour!
- Dolly Doc 🚽💖
Battery Low, Morale Lower
The struggle to charge is real. Plug those phones in! Please... There is nothing more disheartening than starting your day with a flat phone so please please please make sure you connect your truck's phone to the charger (then check to see that it is indeed charging) before you tag off.
"The phones go flat anyway so, who cares?" I hear you ask.
Yes, but if there is a problem with the phone's battery, you don't fix that problem by further draining the dodgy battery overnight.
"No. You just get a different phone." you sharply retort.
Yes, but if the problem is assumed to be that it wasn't charged overnight, the cycle of sadness will only continue.
Plug it in, Plug it in.
If the truck phone can't hold charge, give it to the office so it can either be repaired or swapped out for one with a viable battery life.
Poker Night
Call it! MWAV Poker Night is back.
What: Texas Hold'em Poker (beers & snacks provided by The Man)
When: Tuesday, 1 April (6:30pm - 9:30pm)
Where: Abbotsford Depot (Upstairs lounge)
Cost: $20 cash (Winner takes all)
RSVP: Click here
The Damage
Damage reports submitted - 17 🔥
Claims without damage reports - 2 🔥
The damage hot streak unfortunately continues though there's a slight improvement over last issues numbers. Please remember to always submit a damage report when damage occurs, even if the customer is there taking their own photos and calling the office. Damage reports let us know your side of the events which is important to have as disgruntled customers are not always entirely honest with how damage was caused.
The Vibe
A bit of a bummer turnout on surveys this fortnight with a handful of negative vibes being sent out way. Communication remains a key issue in the negative feedback we've been receiving. You need to let your customer know as soon as it becomes apparent that the job is going to cost more or, that all items will not fit. They may decide to leave some items behind and prioritise others or simply have you chuck everything in the garage instead of individual rooms. This choice is the customer's to make so please be sure to give them the opportunity to do so.
Suggestion Box
Suggestion: Can we please some either hand wash or hand sanitiser in the trucks? Some of the moves we’ve been doing recently have been brutally dirty, so that would be a big help.
Response: Brilliant suggestion. These were prevalent in the long dark days of the pandemic that will not be named but fell off the wayside. Our depot manager has resolved to put them back into circulation (most likely via the white tubs).
If you would like to submit your own anonymous suggestion, click here
Comedy Festival: Aidan Jones - Chopin's Nocturne
Aidan Jones performs "Chopin's Nocturne" @ The Melbourne International Comedy Festival
"I grew up playing classical piano, but failed my conservatory audition at 18. I spent some time focussing on MDMA, then started stand-up in 2011. During the pandemic I came back to the piano, and so I wrote this show to combine them.
It's my favourite piece, Chopin's Nocturne in Eb Major, presented with jokes by a bald dickhead with a beard (me).
In a special event only for the Melbourne Comedy Festival, we have created a replica 1830's Parisian salon in an art gallery, complete with period furniture, decorations and a grand piano to host the show. An immersive space to match the story, and an experience like no other!"
A bunch of MWAV peeps will be heading to this ripper show on opening night - Wednesday, 26 March. Book now and let's make a night of it.
Ticket link: Aidan Jones - Chopin's Nocturne
25% Discount code: 'PRAISELIFTOSS' for all MWAV staff past, present, & indeed future.
"Punchlines that will leave you laughing for days on end... This is what a well-crafted comedy set looks like!" ★★★★★ Adelaide Advertiser
"One of the cleverest minds on the Aussie comedy circuit." ★★★★½ The West Australian
"He's a masterful storyteller... effortless charisma, disarming honesty and a sharp, curious mind." ★★★★ The Age
Best Show (nominee) - ISH Edinburgh Comedy Awards 2023
Comedy Festival: Stuart Daulman - This is Stuart Daulman
Stuart Daulman performs "This is Stuart Daulman" @ The Melbourne International Comedy Festival
New jokes, old gold. Stuart Daulman is back and he’s bringing the laughs like only he can.
In his latest show This is Stuart Daulman, you’ll experience a masterclass in character comedy, stand-up and pure Daulman energy.
Expect a treasure trove of new material mixed with some timeless classics as Stuart blends wit, charm and that unmistakeable touch of surreal hilarity he’s known for. This is the perfect later night comedy show. This is Stuart Daulman – not to be missed.
Ticket link: Stuart Daulman - This is Stuart Daulman
Comedy Festival: Matt Jenner - I Feel Sick
Matt Jenner performs "I Feel Sick" @ the Melbourne International Comedy Festival.
Are you a manager striving for Newsletter content every fortnight? Is scouring the internet for local gigs and events taking up way too much time? Well great news! Have I got the gig for you!
Ticket link: Matt Jenner - Feel Sick Nominee Best Comedy 2023 Melbourne Fringe "Grown-up stomps about stage in stupid hats and wigs and calls it comedy. Embarrassing. ★★★★★" - Theatre Matters ★★★★★ - Lilithia Reviews
Gig Guide: Lucy Tsipouras - Free Palestine
Lucy Tsipouras would like to see as many supporters of a free Palestine to attend this rally.
Details: 12pm Sunday, 23 March @ State Library, Swanston St, Melbourne