CHRISTINE Darwen has been awarded the very first Employee of the Month Award by the Proserpine Chamber of Commerce (PCOC).

Ms Darwen has worked as a console operator at the Caltex Service Station in Proserpine for more than 14 years and said she was "chuffed" to find out she'd won.

"I was stunned that somebody thought enough of my service to nominate me," she said.

"I do like my job because of the variety of people you serve and they always walk away with a smile on their face."

The PCOC initiative began this month and will reward hard-working employees in the community.

Each month, PCOC ask their member base of more than 100 to nominate someone in a business who has shown exceptional customer service and to give an example of why.

A different business will sponsor the employee of the month award and donate a prize to present with a certificate from the chamber.

P&D Industrial were the first sponsors of the award and manager Graham Padgett presented Ms Darwen with a $50 gift card this week.

PCOC secretary Karen Vloedmans said sponsors saw the value in having great customer service and not only was it important to them, but important to the whole town.

Ms Vloedmans said the initiative aimed to show the community that even in small, rural towns, exceptional service was valued.

"We want businesses and the people who have been nominated to stand out and that in turn, will make our town stand out," she said.

"Another reason we're doing this is we want people to mimic the same behaviour and for it to be contagious.

"Christine has been here for over 14 years and still gives great service so it's not a case of 'I've been here a long time and I'm getting bored', it's about going to work and having a great day."

Ms Darwen said she had her father to thank for her ability to hold a conversation with anyone passing through.

"I'm a bit of a chip off the old block," she said.

"(My father) can start a conversation with anyone and I'm pretty much the same.

"When somebody, a traveller, comes in, we've discussed their family, where they're going, where they're coming back from or what they're doing."

Ms Vloedmans said there was a personal aspect to the initiative.

"It's important to reward those giving good customer service and encourage others to do so," she said.