Department of Education 25 Year State Service Awards kick off in the North-East

The Department of Education recognised long-serving staff members from Northern Tasmania at the 25 Year State Service Awards.

Staff and former employees from all areas of the department, including schools, colleges, libraries, child and family learning centres and business units came together at the Summerdale Community Hall to celebrate and reminisce.

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Department of Education secretary Tim Bullard said 18 people were recognised, the 14 in attendance were Caryn Kerrison, Jill Fish, Colleen Elliott, Natasha Gibbons, Anthony Leonard, Bronwyn Morgan, Jennifer Radford, Caryn Watson, Marie Stannus, Tony Brazendale, Dearne Lansdell, Marcella Glachan, and Sussen Cute.

"It's of the utmost importance to acknowledge the really hard work that our staff put in every day to support our learners so that they can succeed," he said.

The celebrations were split into three regions with an event being held in Devonport on Monday and one scheduled to take place in Hobart on Wednesday.

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One of the recipients was Invermay Primary principal Tony Brazendale, who said he couldn't believe it had been 25 years since he began working in the department as a PE teacher in 1996.

"I was quite fortunate because developing an aspiration to teach physical education came to me quite naturally, as I knew from a very early age that I liked being active and participating in a range of sports, and also through looking after my younger cousins I realised that I enjoyed teaching them different things," he said.

"I turn up every day, love what I do, and so here I am."

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Riverside Primary School grade 1 teacher Jennifer Radford said she always knew she was going to be a teacher.

"When I was in grade 3 I decided I wanted to teach the little kids and I never swayed from that, that was my goal all the way and it took me through university and into the workforce where I fulfilled my dream and have taught from kindergarten to grade 2," she said.

"What we do isn't always about literacy and numeracy, but rather the relationships we build with the child, so that they can become the best person they can be."

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