Kindy teacher Debbie Brown was recently congratulated for 30 years of service to the Rosewood and District Community Kindergarten.
Debbie graduated from the Brisbane Kindergarten Teachers College in 1981, before starting her career at kindergartens throughout the Ipswich and Brisbane areas.
She recalled the time she heard of a job opening at the Rosewood kindy, she applied and was successful and began teaching there in 1992.
“The kindergarten was well established, resourced and loved by the community, and I spent many years teaching with lovely staff who all supported each other every day with providing the best care and education for the children,” she said.
“Over the years as a kindergarten we have participated in local shows, street parades, festivals and marches that have taken place in the community.
“Fashion parades, fundraisers, bush dances are also some of the social events that have been so enjoyable over the years, and the kindergarten has always been supported by dedicated families.
“It has been amazing.”
Over the years, Debbie has taught children who are now grown and have their own families.
A special photo album containing the annual class photos captured the memories that Debbie says are very special to her.
“The children enjoy looking back at these albums, in particular those who have had their own parents attend the kindy.
“We also still have our original brown chairs that the children sit on for their lunch and learning, they are sturdy and are a part of the kindy’s history.”
Debbie said that every day was different.
“Children really engage and interact in the way of the world each day and they ask many questions.
“It is great to be involved in their early years of education and it feels good to be able to help them and to guide them through their journey.
“They are just so full of excitement and discovery and we have so much fun together.
“It has been such a wonderful time and I plan to be here for more years to come.”
Over the years Debbie is grateful for the support from her husband Wayne who has helped with fixing anything that may need to be done to help the children and the kindy.
“Wayne has built doll houses and has assisted with repairs that have needed to be done, and I want to thank him for always being there for me,” she said.
“My children David and Catherine basically grew up in the kindy and at times they probably felt like it was their second home, our family as a whole have been involved in many BBQS and social events to do with the kindy, special memories that mean a lot.
“We also have a Teddy Bear at the kindy that is named after my granddaughter Adeline, and the children enjoy interacting and playing with the teddy.”
Debbie acknowledged everyone who has been involved in and supported the kindy and the children.
“Thank you to Sue Waugh and Linda Beale who are just amazing ladies and fantastic teachers, working with you has been a pleasure,” she said.
“Gwyn Probst who is our cleaner was a kindy student in her younger years at the kindy, she has kept our kindy immaculate our years, we appreciate you so much.
“Michael Eustace who is our yard maintenance man, thank you for keeping the grounds so amazing and thank you also to Shelly his wife for your continued support.
“Julka Marquard who came to the kindy with her own children stayed on to be our bookkeeper you are a treasure and to everybody else who has helped and supported our kindy thank you very much, I truly appreciate you all.”
