Sarah Oliver
Two Melton crossing supervisors are hanging up their stop signs and whistles today as they retire after decades on the job.
Jeannette Hill and Penny Richter have seen second generations of children and a lot change over the years.
Jeanette, who has lived in Melton for 44 years, fell into the job accidentally when the council called for more people to help fill in with supervising duties.
After putting her hand up, she soon realised how much she liked the job and that it worked well with her children’s school schedule.
It’s been 30 years since then, during which she has mostly worked at the crossing near St Catherine’s Primary School and while she said she is a bit sad, she knows it’s her time.
“I’ll miss the children, parents and grandparents,” she said.
“I treat them all the same … they’re all lovely.
“In all that 30 years, I can count on one hand how many children have been rude.”
Jeanette was lucky to have most of the children go to the secondary school next door, so she could watch them grow up into their teenage years – some of which still wave hello.
Penny has spent 35 years at the crossing outside Wedge Park Primary School where her children attended.
“I didn’t think I’d last 35 years myself,” she said.
She said her favourite part of the job was “seeing the preppies get to grade 6 and get to go onto their next adventure”.
Penny and her husband are keen to travel now that she’s retiring, and Jeanette said she now has time to get into her half acre garden.
