By Laura Michell
Val Bickerton has been helping Whittlesea children cross the road safely in rain, hail or shine for more than 35 years.
The Eden Park resident started as a crossing supervisor in October, 1983.
She is one of 192 school crossing supervisors who man the municipality’s 160 school crossings.
Ms Bickerton said she was proud to be a crossing supervisor.
“I love joking with the kids. It’s a social atmosphere – you talk to the mums and you meet people,” she said.
“The grandmothers walk up to me and say, ‘Are you still here?’
“The school has grown a lot but [Whittlesea] still has the country atmosphere that I love.”
Ms Bickerton encouraged anyone looking for something to fill their days to become a crossing supervisor.
“I was bored and wanted something to do,” she said. “To me it has been fabulous. It’s a really rewarding job. Anyone can do it – if I can, you can.”
To find out more about becoming a school crossing supervisor, call 9217 2141.
