Teaching farewell
Boys with toys: Lorraine Knox joined Seth, Zac, Will, Jesse and Josh when building a factory, suspiciously similar looking to Murray Goulburn in Leongatha.
LORRAINE Knox’s long association with Leongatha began in 1989, after a 13-year break, bringing up four children, and having previously taught in Warragul.
Mrs Knox married Paul and they had their first child in 1976. Three more children arrived; two live in Melbourne now, one in Korumburra and another in Loch, where the Knox couple live. Mr Knox first ran a dairy farm, which now is a beef farm.
“It was a lovely way, bringing up the children, but it was also lovely to come back to class,” said Mrs Knox, who is a qualified teacher up to Grade 2.
“It really is more than a vocation. It is a sort of calling for me. Children are so unconditional in their affections and love. Kids are always inspiring you. They tackle things with such enthusiasm and without fear.”
Allora is an aboriginal word for swamp, but the kindergarten is very much a modern set-up that has moved quickly with the changing times.
“I have seen many changes in 21 years. But you’ve got to go with the changes. Children’s innocence, enthusiasm, tears and laughter, openness, and love for life have stayed the same, but times have changed and you need to embrace them,” Mrs Knox said.
“When I first began teaching 36 years ago, children had little contact with other children. There were no videos or taping. There were limited amounts of television and advertising.
“Children had rarely held a pair of scissors or a pencil. They were allowed to climb trees, play alone in the park, kick the footy in the street and had only been minded by grandma.
“Today children come to kinder with all the skills we once had to teach them and they are nearly reading by the time they leave. They are different now and there have been many changes. I realised only recently that I taught my 1000th child this year.”
Mrs Knox said parents were under much more pressure as well.
“There is so much information and so much expectation to be the perfect parent. But as long as you give your children unconditional love and firm fair boundaries, and make your decisions for all the right reasons at the time, your children will always love, trust and respect you for that.”
Mrs Knox is leaving while still “loving the job”. But she decided it was time to spend more time with her husband, mother, see more of her children, enjoy other aspects of life as well and generally seize the day. Carpe diem is an appropriate motto for her.
Nine years ago Mr Knox had a kidney transplant after years of dialysis treatment in hospital as well as at home.
“It gives you a different perspective on life,” Mrs Knox said. “You realise life is great and precious. We have some catching up to do and we’re now looking for some rewards.”
Both are 56 and love caravanning. “We go caravanning quite a bit and we’ll be organising a long trip for next year,” Mrs Knox said.
“I’m also looking forward to doing those small things that I didn’t have enough time for when working, like having a coffee with friends and visiting my mum more often.”
Mrs Knox was sad to be leaving behind fantastic staff, colleagues, children and friends after so many years.
“To all these people, staff, families, committees, I’d like to say a huge thank-you,” Mrs Knox said.
“My years at Leongatha have been very happy because of all of them. But mostly, I’d like to thank the children I have taught.” They were my greatest pleasures, challenges and rewards. It was a privilege they allowed me to share a small part of their lives and that part will continue to go with me forever.”
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