DEVELOPING connections with children and seeing them grow and flourish has been at the centre of Helen Stevenson's life for the past 30 years.
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The much-loved coordinator of Curlewis Preschool will now enjoy her retirement after three decades of tantrums, tears, laughter and fond memories.
She has devoted much of her life to caring for generations of local children, primarily at Curlewis and Boggabri preschools, but also as coordinator at Currabubula Preschool and the authorised supervisor for all Ooranga services.
The 60-year-old has been at the helm for so long, she has even taught the parents of many of the children who have come through the Ooranga services.
"I just love being with the children, making those connections with the families and seeing children of people that I've taught at preschool come through too has been really special," the Curlewis local said.
"It's been a little bit emotional. I am really going to miss the children, they're such a big part of it.
"That's why I've shown up to work every day for the past 30 years.
"With some you really develop a special connection as well."
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Her last day of teaching was Thursday, and staff celebrated her cherished time as coordinator with a cake and plenty of well-wishes.
"Every year is so different, you might have an easy year and you might have a difficult year, depending on the children that are enrolled," she added.
"But it's so rewarding when you see these little people come to you, then when you send them off to big school and they're confident little individuals that are heading off."
Helen and her husband Terry now plan to hitch the caravan, hit the road and experience what Australia has to offer.
"We're hoping next term to do a fair bit of travel and be back for harvest helping out our son," she said.
"Then next year we want to do the West Coast working our way around.
"We just want to see this beautiful country of ours."
She concluded: "I've really, really enjoyed my time working with the preschool, Ooranga is such a wonderful service meeting the needs of small rural towns."
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