One of Carinity Education Southside’s longest serving staff members has retired.
Earlier this month the school community came together to honour and farewell Aunty Joan.
In 2004, Aunty Joan was asked to come and fill in for two weeks as a relief cook in the Southside school kitchen.
She had previously worked at Wellers Hill State School for 30 years as a cleaner.
The request to come to Southside was part of Aunty Joan’s healing journey, as at the time her husband had just passed away and family wanted her to have connection and purpose.
For 19 years, she enjoyed working in the kitchen, as she believes food brings people together.
For Aunty Joan, her work was all about giving back and forming relationships with the students and their families by showing her love through cooking and provision.
Aunty Joan will not be bored in her retirement, she will continue to hold a position as one of the school’s community elders and will be invited to many events we hold.
In her farewell speech, Aunty Joan acknowledged that she worked under three very inspiring principals for whom she has great respect: Colleen Mitrow, Christine Hill and Leann Faint.
A beautiful, humble, hardworking, soft spirited and encouraging lady, she will be greatly missed here at school by our students and staff alike, but her legacy will live on.