After 30 years in the child care industry, including 15 at the same centre, Tracey Snow has seen a generation of children grow up in front of her.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
"We've got children who have grown up and come back for work experience," Ms Snow said.
"Some who have now had their own families and brought their children here."
For the veteran child care worker, that's the thrill that keeps her coming back to work each year.
"We're a family here," Ms Snow said.
"The conversations you have with [the children], they are all so knowledgeable in their own little way."
Her long-service with Amy Hurd Learning Centre and her work in representing the region with Early Childhood Australia NSW Branch were recognised last week when she won the Riverina Early Childhood high achiever award.
Ms Snow was aware she had been nominated, but not until she arrived at the Wagga RSL for the ceremony last week did she realise all the nominations were for her.
"It was a huge shock [to find out] all four nominations that came in were all for me," she said.
The night also honoured Barb Withers from Wagga TAFE's childhood education and care department.
Ms Withers died unexpectedly while on a bushwalk in September.
Related:
To honour her memory, the inaugural sustainability in childcare award will be named in her honour and was awarded to her posthumously.
With her family in Victoria, the award was accepted by long-term friend and colleague Penny Wilks.
"[Barb] has clearly impacted so many lives and she was so passionate about sustainability and children," Ms Wilks said.
"She used to say 'we're all born to play, we shouldn't lose that as we get older'.
"The world was a better place for having her in it."