Local Legend Sue Saw – nurturing generations in Anglesea

Published on 01 May 2024

The early years classroom is teacher Sue Saw’s happy place, and she cherishes every moment witnessing children progress.

“I love the interaction with different children and following their progress through each year, that’s the great joy I get,” Sue says.

“Seeing the growth and the learning in each individual child through the months of the year, supporting the children and encouraging their learning … I love to be there.”

Sue has spent the majority of her many years in education nurturing generations in Anglesea, teaching and volunteering at Anglesea Primary School and Anglesea Kindergarten.

She remains a volunteer at both in retirement and her caring contribution has qualified her as Surf Coast Shire’s latest Local Legend.

The Local Legends awards recognise and celebrate people making a difference and helping their community to thrive.

“Sue helps the children with learning activities, from craft to puzzles and making playdough. She fosters an inclusive environment as well as encouraging children to develop confidence and resilience,” her nominee, Anglesea Kindergarten lead teacher Sarah Womersley said.

“She makes every child feel special.”

Sue – mum of Daniel, Adam, Elise and Laura, and grandmother of 11 – said the acknowledgement took her by surprise.

“I feel very humble and grateful, I was quite taken aback,” she said.

“It is wonderful and gives me a lot of pleasure.

“I’ve been really lucky living in this lovely community. Everyone is very grateful and appreciative of what you do, and I am very passionate about helping young children and families.

“I am so grateful to Anglesea Kindergarten and lead teacher Sarah for nominating me for this honour.”

Sue counts her 1976 posting to Anglesea to teach at the primary school as a blessing and across the decades since has maintained a constant passion to give back to her community.

Strong involvement with the town’s kindergarten while her kids attended led to her taking up a teaching position there in 1994, which she maintained until her formal retirement in 2007.

Along the way Sue has contributed to various school and kindergarten parent groups and committees, was president of the primary school council, and volunteered to assist in the organisation of the celebration when the old school closed and the new Anglesea Primary School opened in 2011.

She said in retrospect her retirement might have been a little premature.

“I found that I really missed working in the field, and I had more to contribute so I offered my services as a volunteer to both the kindergarten and the school and that’s what I’ve been doing,” she said.

“And I’m not quite over the hill yet! I love what I do, it’s keeping me on my toes, keeping me engaged and feeling as if I’m a worthwhile part of the community.”

Visit surfcoast.vic.gov.au/LocalLegends