Young woman gets fuel sales award

AT 21, Carol Wallus operates a fuel service station that last Thursday received an award from InterOil for achieving the highest retail fuel sales volume in 2011.
Wallus is the eldest in the family and has been supporting her mother run the Hohola Service Station in Port Moresby, after her father, Peter Wallus, died two years ago.
From Kum Monokam village, in Kompiam-Ambum district, Enga, Wallus takes charge of daily operational duties at the service station while her mother takes on full responsibilities of raising the family.
“After dad died, people who knew us didn’t think mum could manage the service station business. They did not believe in our mother like we did,” she said.
“We proved them wrong and did even better than when dad was alive.
“He would have been so proud of us.”
While studying tourism and hospitality at TAFE College, Wallus became more involved with the family business after she realised the enormous task her mother endured juggling that and raising a family alone.
“Dad’s passing and mum’s role of being both mother and father eventually took its toll on mum and that’s when I stepped in to assist. Since then, mum’s health has improved,” she said.
For Wallus, every day at the service station is challenging and rewarding as she learns “on the job”.