But Ms Green is much more than that.

For 19 years, Ms Green has been a volunteer at Wagga’s KU preschools and is currently at KU Koala.

She does not speak and communicates via sign language, a skill she happily shares with staff and students alike.

Ms Green agrees that she just loves being at the preschool with the youngsters.

Preschool director Dibbs Cowley said Ms Green had taught the staff and children a lot of useful signs.

The children can, for example, sign along to the song I Can Sing a Rainbow and are able to sign the animals mentioned in Bob Dylan’s classic Man Gave Names to all the Animals, which is a particular favourite of Ms Green’s.

The children particularly like the sign for a bull, Ms Green agrees.

Ms Cowley said Ms Green had helped the children become aware of the similarities and differences between individuals and to be inclusive in their approach.

“Tanya can understand us, but uses her hands to talk to us,” five-year-old Clark Seaman said.

Other students said Ms Green helped with lunchboxes and shared her passion for painting with them.

Ms Green has been named as the winner of the making a difference award at a ceremony held by the Riverina branch of Early Childhood Australia.

Some of Ms Green’s paintings are hung around the preschool, but it is the award shield that currently had pride of place in the preschool’s entrance.

Ms Green agrees that while she was happy to receive the award, she was also very surprised to be named the winner.

But, according to preschool staff, the award could not have gone to a more worthy recipient.

She is, according to Ms Cowley, a happy, smiling and much-loved part of the KU Koala team.

Ms Green, who is now 42, was introduced to KU by her sister Bridget Brustolin, who works for the preschool group.

Once she began volunteering, she felt in love with it and has barely missed a day since.

Almost every morning she is dropped off by parents Nerida and Raymond at the Murray Street preschool.

“The children really notice if she isn’t here,” Ms Cowley said.

“We hear a lot of ‘where’s Tanya’ if she happens to be sick or away.

“When she is here, Tanya is always happy and smiling. She is just so positive.”

Ms Green has not only inspired the children to learn to sign, but has had a huge impact on the staff.

Teacher Kirrily Brassil did a course in sign language “years ago”, but has been able both use what she learned and build on that knowledge by working alongside Ms Green.

“We try to integrate signing into every day,” Ms Brassil said.

Ms Cowley said the preschool’s students were enthusiastic about learning to sign, not only because it gave them a new skill, but because it enabled them to communicate with Ms Green.

“It’s an invaluable experience for the children,” she said.

“When we talk about inclusion, it doesn’t just apply to the children.

“It also means parents and the wider community.”

Ms Green’s award nomination shows how highly regarded she is at KU Koala.

“We would like to see Tanya recognised for her dedication and her work with young children and her role as an enthusiastic and reliable team member,” the nomination reads.

“Tanya comes to work with a happy disposition as she engages in positive interactions with children that promote respect for diversity.

“Tanya has helped KU Koala community develop an understanding for being aware of similarities and differences in people and the need to practice inclusive ways.

“Tanya, in conjunction with KU Koala educators, has taught the children the importance of sign language through the teaching of many useful everyday signs.”