Liam Durkin
A FAMILIAR face to many local students and parents in Sale over the years reached a significant milestone, as Joy Peverill notched 30 years as a crossing supervisor on Wednesday.
Joy’s milestone coincided with her 70th birthday, appropriately celebrated with balloons and streamers adorning her front fence.
Drivers tooted their well wishes, and Joy was delighted to receive 70 lollipops in her mailbox to mark the occasion.
“I think the kids at the crossing will be getting a few,” she laughed.
Joy said she never could have envisaged her current length of tenure when she began her lollipop lady career.
“I went to a lady’s place and she said ‘Joy, why don’t you join up to school crossing?’, and I said ‘I don’t think I can be the person to stand out there’, and 30 years later, I’m still doing it.”
Joy has had stints at various locations throughout her career, but has called her current Raglan St, Sale, crossing home in recent years.
Joy has the flags up ready to go for the morning shift from 8.15am, and returns later in the day at 3.15am.
As children make their way to school, Joy said the friendly smiles and greetings had been the main highlight of her work days.
“They’ve all been great – there’s been no cheek,” she said.
As people entering retirement may look for things to keep them active, Joy said being a crossing supervisor accommodated her lifestyle.
“It is a job for retirement; if you want to do a part time job it’s not bad to do,” she said.
With 30 years under her belt, Joy was confident she still had a few years to go at her post.
As the supervisor at one of Sale’s busiest crossings, she has a reminder for all drivers to keep to the speed limits around schools.
