End of an era at Pattrick and Paterson
Julie Christou started working at the real estate company when she was 21 and later became a co-owner.
Pattrick and Paterson, one of Brakpan’s oldest running businesses, is bidding farewell to an icon of its own. With over half a century in the business, Julie Christou (74) retired on February 28.
“It’s officially on Friday, but I doubt I’ll stay away,” she said with a laugh.
Julie co-owned the real estate company with her sister Helen Odysseos for many years. Helen, who immigrated to Cyprus a few years ago, joined the firm in 1966 as a counter clerk, and had over 50 years service at the company.
When Julie was 21, she followed in her sister’s footsteps and began working at Pattrick and Paterson as a general clerk.
Julie can recall working with Wilton Adcock, the company’s salesman and son of Terrence Adcock – who joined the company is 1953 after Thomas Pattrick withdrew from the business.
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Pattrick and Dugald Paterson established their estate agency at 632 Voortrekker Road in May 1942. They were to remain in business together for seven years until 1949, and Paterson continued on his own until Terrence joined.
In 1957, Paterson and Adcock moved the business to 664 Voortrekker Road, premises they had bought for the purpose.
The company still operates from these premises today. Julie bought into the company in 1995 after the death of her husband Christos.
After the departure of then boss Stan Waisbrod, Helen also bought into the company and the sisters became co-owners.
Julie told the Brakpan Herald the company now has a new owner but operations will continue as normal and the staff are staying on.
“I’m going to miss my girls, they’re like my daughters” she said of the personnel.
Born and raised in Brakpan, Julie attended the Brakpan Convent School. She and her family have always been active members of the local Greek community.
Julie has two children, Ricky and Stavroulla, and four grandchildren. While she now lives in Benoni, she has a great fondness for Brakpan.
“I used to work at Barclays Bank before I worked here and would meet Helen for lunch in the town hall gardens,” she said.
“All the people that worked in town would sit there and have lunch. The gardens and fountains were so beautiful.”
As for her retirement plans, Julie admits she hasn’t given it much thought.
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“It hasn’t really sunk in yet. I will still be available to help in the office when they need me. For the past few years, I’ve been visiting Helen in Cyprus, but could only stay for two weeks or so,” she said.
“Now I could stay a bit longer – that’s something to look forward to, without having to worry about the office, phone calls and bank authorisations.”
Julie concluded by thanking all the people she has worked with over the years.
“I appreciate all the clients’ support and cooperation,” she added.
