Mar 23, 2021
- Awards & Recognition
- Citywide Life
- Civil Restorations
- People & Culture
If you’ve parked your car at Brighton Beach, taken your kids to Landcox or Dendy Parks, or spent an afternoon at Sandringham Yacht Club or the Royal Melbourne Golf Club, chances are you’ve walked along a path with Corey Mallia’s stamp on it.
For the past five years, Corey has been the crew leader for minor works on Citywide’s Bayside contract – looking after everything from footpaths and parking lots, to benches, road signs and line markings across a 50km² area from Elsternwick to Beaumaris. Such is his love of the job that Corey, 49, this month celebrates 10 years in the role.
“There’s never a boring day in this job,” says Corey, who’s regularly fêted by both clients and colleagues for his passion and dedication. “With COVID, a lot more people have been walking around and noticing damage to footpaths and other infrastructure. Plus with mobile apps, it’s much easier to report things. Everyone’s a surveillance officer these days!”
Corey has a team of four permanent staff who also work alongside Citywide’s drainage and asphalt teams, so he’s sometimes juggling up to 10 people on different projects. But he clearly loves the job – and the job loves him.
“He really cares about his work and wants to do the best he can for this community,” says Nick Marinucci, who Corey reports to as operations supervisor for civil infrastructure in Bayside. “He’s a humble guy, but I can show you several letters and messages we’ve got about the quality of his work from grateful residents and shop owners.”
Community gratitude
One of those shop owners is Keiran Cromie, who as President of the Church Street Traders Association, has regular conversations with Corey about footpath repairs and other works that may affect businesses in Brighton.
“Corey doesn’t just want to know what we think, he’ll make great suggestions about the best time for doing a job,” says Keiran. “He’s sensitive to things like how elderly residents have been affected by COVID, how works might affect families during school holidays – as a contractor, he’s incredibly sensitive and considerate.
“I’ve worked with local councils for more than 25 years and contractors are usually far too risk-averse to have these kinds of conversations. Not Corey – he’s extremely proactive and he wants to make sure everyone knows about works that may affect them. He’s an absolute credit to Citywide and the care they have for the community.”
Climbing the Citywide ladder
Corey began his life at Citywide as a sign installer in April 2011, then became a surveillance officer overseeing footpaths and road signs, before being promoted to crew leader in 2016. Today, he heads up the concrete maintenance and line-marking programs, which involve managing third-party contractors as well as liaising with residents, shop owners, Bayside Council and VicRoads.
“It’s a big job,” says Nick Marinucci. “But Corey is passionate about his work, and as you’ve seen he cares what local residents think, so he’s always getting good feedback and appreciative comments. His dedication is an example to us all.”
But Corey shrugs off the compliments – and handballs a lot of the credit to his fellow Citywide workers.
“The camaraderie in our team is really good,” he says. “There’s always a bit of pressure, of course, but it’s not like some industries. Working with a good bunch of guys makes it much easier to come to work. There’s never really any serious gripes here; everyone just knuckles under and gets on with it.
“Several of the guys here have been with me virtually the whole time. I don’t know why you’re making all this fuss about me. I’m just doing my job!”
Above photo: Corey (second left) with teammates from Citywide's Bayside Civil Works team
Media Contact:
Simon Mossman - Group Corporate Communications
M 0427 307 216
E simon.mossman@citywide.com.au