Passing on the stop sign: School Crossing Supervisor retiring after 44 years

A love of the local school community inspired Carmel Black to supervise the school crossing at Yarra Road Primary School in Croydon North. Over four decades later, she is hanging up her high-vis jacket and stop sign for the last time.

“I might be one of the most fortunate supervisors, to have got that crossing,” Carmel said, reflecting on her 44 years of service.

The Yarra Road site school crossing was installed in 1979 after a two-year campaign by the school committee. While the crossing was a welcome addition, the crossing supervisor role remained vacant after three months of advertising.

Carmel offered to assist until the role could be filled, knowing it was essential for the school, which was on a narrow street with “a bad crest on the Wonga Park side and a dangerous corner on the Croydon side”.

What followed was an incredible 44 years of service, making Carmel one of Victoria’s longest serving school crossing supervisors in perhaps the longest ‘temporary’ position ever!

“I started the role, loved it, and I continued to do it. What inspired me the most was the children and keeping them safe, year in and year out.”

Since then, Carmel has enjoyed building connections with generations of students and their families while helping them cross the road safely.

“I’ve been connected to the school for so long, I’ve learnt a lot about the students.

“I always greet the children by their first names, and they love it. They say ‘Mrs Black is so nice. She remembers it’s my birthday, she remembers my name and she’s interested in what I’m doing.’”

While there have been many highlights, Carmel has most enjoyed how much the students have shared with her.

“The students tell me their achievements and I go to school activities like carols, productions and graduation nights. The Grade 6s want me to be there to say farewell to them before the next step of their life.”

Principal of Yarra Road Primary School, Ken Darby, said Carmel has made “tremendous contributions” to the school community and her presence will be missed.

“Carmel has become an iconic figure, deeply connected to the school and its surroundings. Her innate ability to connect with everyone she encounters, her genuine care for the children’s safety, her attentiveness to details, and her ability to create a friendly and welcoming atmosphere have made her an invaluable asset to our school community.

“Carmel’s professionalism, patience and unwavering commitment have set the standard for excellence in her role, and her dedication can be attributed to her genuine love for the Yarra Road Primary School community,” Principal Darby said.

“Carmel’s retirement marks the end of an era, and we are forever grateful for her unwavering dedication and service. She will be sincerely missed by the Yarra Road community.”

Carmel is one of Council’s 95 dedicated school crossing supervisors, who oversee 73 primary and secondary school crossings throughout Maroondah. Rain, hail or shine, they help pedestrians of all ages to safely cross the road.

Mayor of Maroondah, Councillor Rob Steane OAM, congratulated Carmel for her contribution to Maroondah, which saw her receive an Australia Day Community Service Award in 2015.

“What an incredible achievement to have served the local community for 44 years. We are grateful for Carmel Black’s unwavering care, professionalism and dedication, which has helped to keep hundreds of Maroondah families safe over the years.”

“Maroondah City Council are great to work for and have always been helpful,” Carmel said.

“I really don’t know where the years have gone. It doesn’t feel like 44 years!”

After retiring at the end of Term 2, Carmel is looking forward to a few sleep ins, catching up with friends and family, gardening and reading without needing to watch the clock.

Support from the school community has been “a bit overwhelming” - a testament to the role Carmel has held all these years.

“I haven’t just been a school crossing supervisor; I’ve been part of the school team and part of the family.”