Spare a thought for Sue Allen.

The Wagga woman has just chalked up 50 years in the same public service department.

What’s more, she’s loved every minute of it.

On December 7, 1961, a 15-year-old Mrs Allen walked into a public service exam and made such an impression, she was asked if she could start in a job that afternoon.

She is being recognised by the Department of Human Services for her service, after following her job around to Dubbo, Lithgow and back to Wagga.

“There have been lots of things that I’ve learnt over the time and an important lesson is – change is always around the corner,” she said.