When Fay Gordon walks out of Wagga High School on Thursday, she closes the door on an association that dates back to her childhood.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Mrs Gordon has worked in an administration role at the school since 1983, but she is also a former student and school captain.
Three of her grandsons currently attend the school and her daughter Angela Angel is not only also a former school captain, but is now also the administration manager – and Mrs Gordon’s boss.
Mrs Gordon has worked for the Department of Education since 1977, having previously been in the scholarships office of what is now Charles Sturt University.
For the mum of three daughters, the opportunity to have a job with school-hours held a great deal of appeal.
Mrs Gordon says the student population at Wagga High has always been around the 900 to 1000 mark, but actual school environment has changed markedly.
“When I went to high school here, there was just A and B blocks and a lot of demountables,” she said.
“There were a few houses down along Fernleigh Road and not much else.
“It’s all grown so much.”
Mrs Gordon has seen many boundary changes for school since her time as a student, with the development of Estella and Boorooma adding the most recent large changes to its catchment.
“When I started in the office, we had manual typewriters and Gestetner machines,” she said.
“Those Gestetner machines were just yucky. They were slow and dirty.”
Mrs Gordon recalls the introduction of electric typewriters and fax machines, and more recently the gradual introduction of computerised administration and increasing numbers of specialised programs.
“Although sometimes we do still need to send a fax,” she said.
She has worked with six principals, three relieving principals, 10 deputies and numerous teachers and office staff.
Mrs Gordon loves seeing her three grandsons around the school and enjoys working with her daughter.
Mrs Angel says she and her mum can work together all day, but still find reasons to call each other after hours.
“I’ve loved work here,” Mrs Gordon said.