Community & Business
30 June, 2022
Two Long-Serving Staff Members Retire
Barbara Reedman and Maria Henry have retired from Allora State School after close to a combined 80 years of service at the school.
Mrs Reedman retired from Allora P-10 State School at the end of May after 32½ years of service in the office.
Mrs Reedman started her long career with Education Queensland in 1989 and has been an integral part of the administrative team over many years.
As an Administrative Officer and Business Manager, Mrs Reedman was highly respected by supervisors and peers for her high quality of work; balancing the books, managing HR issues and maintaining facilities.
The Allora community is very grateful for the dedication and commitment that Mrs Reedman put into ensuring that our facilities and grounds were the best they could be, often going the extra mile to secure some extra regional funding for our school or carefully managing the budget to make funds go a little further.
This has been a credit to her and a legacy that Mrs Reedman leaves for many future generations of staff and students to enjoy.
In addition, Mrs Reedman had acquired a wealth of knowledge over the years, especially while serving as the Senior Finance Officer for the Darling Downs South West Region.
Allora P-10 State School has been very fortunate to have a Business Services Manager the calibre of Mrs Reedman and it is very hard to imagine the school office without her!
Also retiring is Mrs Maria Henry, who has been a Teacher Aide at Allora P-10 State School for 45 years.
Mrs Henry joined the Education Department in 1977 as a Teacher Aide in Preschool (now Prep) working alongside teacher-in-charge, Mrs Joyce Gibson and she has always been held in very high regard by teachers, parents and students.
During her amazing and long career, Mrs Henry has supported teachers with their curriculum delivery and students with their literacy and numeracy learning. Mrs Henry has also provided additional support to students with multiple disabilities and students requiring medical intervention, e.g. blood glucose monitoring.
As testimony to her commitment to her work, Mrs Henry engaged in many professional development opportunities over the years to upskill and complete training to ensure that her educational practices were always current.
Many in the community will agree that Mrs Henry always helped to create a very positive and productive working environment for all the students in her care.
Mrs Henry has been a highly respected member of staff with her commitment, interpersonal skills and professionalism second to none.
The school community would like to wish Mrs Reedman and Mrs Henry a well-deserved and very happy retirement.
