Community & Business
29 February, 2024
40 years dancing and teaching
Oakey stalwart Trudy Williamson has brought up 40 years of dance-teaching and teacher-aiding at Oakey Academy of Dance and Oakey State School.
Over many years, she’s become a trusted and familiar face in the community.
Trudy first started her employment at Oakey State School at the age of 15, in 1984, a few weeks into doing a business course at Toowoomba Coaching College.
At the time, many peers left school and got jobs, more so back then to now.
Boys got apprenticeships, girls got jobs and that was the way it was.
Trudy picks up the story for us.
“I had been teaching ballet for Debbie Noller (Oakey Academy of Dance) in the year prior, so when the position at the school came up, I applied as it worked well in with teaching ballet after school hours.
“Mrs Shirley Bernays (my Grade 1 teacher), was on the panel to employ, and was also still a classroom teacher, who I then worked for.
“There were actually still three or four teachers at the school who taught when I was there, and the principal at the time was Mr Merv Kerkow.
“When (I was first) employed in 1984 things were very different – there were no photocopiers for one (ink duplicators were used by hand).
“Posters for classroom walls were handmade by Teacher Aides, along with teaching aid materials.
“Back then, I mainly did reading groups.”
“Teaching was very different to now – rote learning (was the dominant form).
“There was Friday afternoon sports each week – sometimes travelling to other schools to compete in friendly school competitions.
“There were no classroom intercoms, phones, etc.
“Cassette recorders were used rather than phones.
“I’ve seen many children go through primary school, high school and some are now bringing their own children/grandchildren to school.
“I had three of my own children go to school at Oakey State School which was a little trying at times, but we got through those days.”
Trudy’s true passion is dancing and you can find her each week leading the Oakey Academy of Dance at the Lutheran Church Hall on York
Street.
“I love seeing children dance,” she said.
“It’s a place to have their time away from school studies and pressures to express themselves.”
Trudy said she now has ex-students bringing their own children to dance.
Despite the changes over the years, Trudy said it’s been worth it.
“I still love my job,” she said.
“Love seeing children grow up, grow in their learning and become independent little people.
“Mainly work with Prep and lower grades now.
“Makes me happy to see happy children, laughing, playing, learning, and wanting to come to school.
“Never thought I would have been at the same school for so long but between running the dance school, family commitments and work at the school, it has been perfect."
