A four decade-long history working at Townview State School will come to an end this week, as one long-serving employee retires.
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Business manager Evelyn Arnold will say farewell to Townview State School after 42 years in the front office.
Ms Arnold moved to Mount Isa in May 1976. After completing her TAFE studies she sat a public service exam and 12 months later she was posted to Townview State School.
"I worked in the front office starting out with a manual typewriter, assisting 800 children as well as a principal and deputy," Ms Arnold said.
"I have virtually been in the same role over the years but just evolved into different names. I started out as a clerk typist, then an admin assistant, admin officer, business services manager and now business manager."
Ms Arnold said her time at Townview had been excellent.
"My whole life has been here," she said.
"I had my kids enrolled in Townview and they are all adults now and my grandchildren were also enrolled here, which has been good to keep an eye on them."
In her time at Townview, Ms Arnold has seen many changes including the changes in staff and the introduction of technology.
"The biggest change at the school was rolling over to computers," she said.
'As much as they said computers would save work, I think computers have made so much work. And when they came into effect we didn't really get much training and I can remember looking at it and going "I've got no idea". Nobody even told us how to turn the computer on.
"A big challenge that many schools face out here is the staff turn over. They are only here for limited time and then they are gone. I have seen about 20 principals in my time at the school."
Despite the turnover Ms Arnold said the highlight of working at Townview was making life-long friends with long-term employees.
"I have got teacher's aids that I have worked with for well over 20 years, including my close friends Patty and Terry," she said.
"It took a long time to make the decision to leave, but once I filled out the paperwork I started letting go."
Ms Arnold will commence her long-service leave from Friday June 28, before retiring in March 2020. She will then relocate to Bundaberg to be closer to family and spend "quality time" with her grandchildren.
She is also looking forward to being near the beach and play in local tenpin bowling competitions.
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Samantha Campbell
Samantha Campbell (nee Walton) has worked for regional and rural publications across New South Wales, Queensland and the Northern Territory. She is currently writing for the North Queensland Register based in North West Queensland. Email: samantha.campbell@austcommunitymedia.com.au
Samantha Campbell (nee Walton) has worked for regional and rural publications across New South Wales, Queensland and the Northern Territory. She is currently writing for the North Queensland Register based in North West Queensland. Email: samantha.campbell@austcommunitymedia.com.au
