The crossing guard

By Kelly Yates
IT was an emotional farewell for Joan Allan last Friday as she retired from being a school crossing supervisor outside Oatlands Primary School.
Students at the Narre Warren school said their goodbyes as they left school for the day by handing Ms Allan bunches of flowers, with one child saying “we will miss your smiley face Joan.”
The 70-year-old has been the crossing supervisor for 14 years.
“I first started out as a school crossing supervisor in Knox. I took over from an elderly man who retired,” she said.
“I have been at Oatlands Primary School since the school opened.”
Ms Allan received “loads” of gifts during her final week at the school crossing.
“I got 29 gifts and heaps of flowers. I’ve loved it here. It’s been my hobby,” she said.
Oatlands Primary School principal Stuart Daly said Ms Allan was a “delightful and lovely lady” to have working on the Kurrajong Road crossing.
Parent Janine Spaulding, who has three children at the school, said she was amazed Ms Allan knew the names of all of the children who used the crossing each day.
“She will be sadly missed,” Ms Spaulding said.