For staff who have worked at the plaza since day one in 1987, the journey has been filled with changing styles, co-workers and stores. 

Kmart team members Gail Jenner and Sharon Hallam and store manager Suzanne Puls have spent three decades working at the store. 

Ms Hallam still remembers her first nervous day in the brand new plaza.

“I was at the desk and someone walked up with a refund straight away from another store,” she said.

Mrs Jenner said the brand new plaza was a great but intimidating place to work.

“I remember on my first day it was all so new,” she said. “It was daunting. 

“You walked in and it was an empty shell. I wondered what I’d gotten into.”

Since those first few days in 1987, the trio have seen thousands of staff and tens of thousands of customers walk through the plaza doors. 

“When the store opened, there were hundreds of staff and plenty full-time,” Mrs Hallam said.

“There’s certainly been a drop with new technology and self serve.”

Miss Puls said she’s seen plenty of trends come and go.

“There’s been plenty of stock changes,” she said.

“So much so, it’s nearly full circle.”

The trio have seen plenty of revamps and upgrades to the plaza and the Kmart store.

Over the years firm friendships have blossomed within the plaza.

“We’re one big family, really,” Miss Puls said. “We’re there for each other.”

Horsham Plaza centre manager Allison Roberts has worked for the plaza for the past 11 years – but her first time working at the centre was a five-year stint, 25 years ago.

“There’s been a lot of changes – major building changes, store changes, changes in fashion and what’s being sold and online shopping and social media changes,” she said.

“Thirty years is pretty significant. The plaza is a real part of people’s lives. Most people have worked here when they were younger. 

“It’s a place of social interaction and colour in people’s days.

“Plus it’s a huge convenience. When it first opened, it closed at 1pm Saturday – now it’s open every day, with stores opening late. It’s a real landmark of Horsham.”

Ms Roberts said to celebrate the occasion, the plaza would have a free photo booth for customers, historic photos and fashions, a memory board and staff dressed up in ’80s fashion. 

She said school holiday craft activities would run throughout the week.