MONTEGO BAY, St James — Though a job in the tourism industry was not what she envisioned for herself as a girl, Audrae Kerr spent 45 years at Hanover’s Round Hill Hotel and Villas doing what her heart desired.

Though now retired, Kerr was among a host of employees who received recognition during the recent Round Hill Hotel and Villas Long Service Awards ceremony.

Kerr proudly remembers when she started her job at the resort as a nanny. She stated that it was a close family member who encouraged her to join the Round Hill team. She was 19 years old and excited to enter the workforce.

Kerr’s pleasant personality, coupled with her diligence, saw her quickly moving from her nanny position to that of a housekeeper. She told the Jamaica Observer that it was her then manager who recognised her hard work and recommended that she was the perfect fit for the job when an opening presented itself at Cottage 12.

She went on to spend close to two decades before being transferred to another cottage on the property. This was when Kerr then took on a bigger role at Cottage 1, as she was now the head worker.

“In 1995 the only lady who was working at Cottage 1 died. She did the cooking and the housekeeping at the same time, so they sent me there,” Kerr explained.

She was later joined by two housekeepers and was given the chance to do what she really loved to do, which was to cook. She told the Sunday Observer that this was when she flourished as she gracefully prepared meals for the guests at the cottage.

Months quickly turned into years as her love for the acquired role grew.

“I feel like I did what I wanted to do. I gave it my all and at Round Hill, we really go above and beyond. I loved to do what I did and I met a lot of important people. I enjoyed it,” Kerr said.

“That was my first and last job. That is what I kept telling them whenever they would ask, ‘How are you here for so long?’ I used to say, ‘Well, this is my first job and it will be my last. When I go home, I am not going to work for anybody again — I am going to work for myself.’ And that is what I did,” Kerr said with a chuckle.

Reminiscing on her life before working in the tourism industry, Kerr stated that it was a programme at the Young Women’s Christian Association (YWCA) that motivated her career choice as a girl.

“I wanted to be a nurse, but I went to the YWCA in 1972 and I just grew into the industry because it was nice. I liked the baking [classes] so that kind of opened my eyes. They also taught us the special ways to make the beds,” said Kerr.

Pointing out that she “did life her way”, Kerr told the Sunday Observer that she has never regretted her decision to not become a nurse. After all, Kerr pointed out, she ultimately played an important role in caring for her employers and guests at the Round Hill Hotel and Villas. Before she knew it, they became a fundamental part of her life and she was now seen as family.

“I started to feel fulfilled because it was like taking care of people. Sometimes they would come there feeling sick and the things I gave them, it’s like they instantly would start feeling better,” she said.

As the head cook at the cottage where she worked, Kerr showcased her cooking skills by enticing her employers and their guests with authentic Jamaican dishes. She proudly stated that her saltfish fritters would have them begging for more.

“They were so excited the first time they tasted something like that, so every time they came they would have me make it for them,” she said.

“They [also] loved the oats porridge. Once you make that one morning, they are going to want it every morning,” said Kerr.

Pointing out that it is now her time to rest and enjoy retirement, Kerr stated that she is proud to have dedicated her entire professional career to the tourism industry. She praised the family oriented culture that exists at the Round Hill Hotel and Villas for a pleasant experience.

“We used to look out for each other and we were close. My journey with Round Hill was very good and I am not sorry that I was there. Now that I am home I just hope that those who are there will continue the good work,” said Kerr.