THE wheels have stopped turning for Millicent’s longest serving road safety school volunteer who has stepped on the brakes after devoting over two decades of service to the community program.
Sue van der Heul received the green light from Wattle Range Council to become a road safety school coordinator 23 years ago and has not looked back since.
The long-serving volunteer has taught generations of youngsters across the Limestone Coast basic, yet vital, road rules and safe riding techniques.
While she announced her retirement with the program this week, Ms van der Heul will continue to dedicate her time volunteering with a number of organisations including Meals on Wheels, the Millicent Show Society and the Wattle Range Road Safety Group.
She said sadly over the years volunteers at the road safety school had declined and she hoped another community member would jump on board the road safety initiative, which has catered for around 45 schools and thousands of students since it was opened.
“We started the road safety group and council sent us a letter asking for help to find a coordinator,” she said.
“I put my hand up and took over in September 1996.
“To begin with we had wives of police officers and personnel, among others, however they have gradually moved away and nobody else has the time to come and help out.
“I have been asking for people to help out for the last four to five years and they say they have not got the time.
“Unfortunately, I do not either.”
Despite her retirement, Ms van der Heul said the centre will not close its doors or fold due to recent upgrades, which were made possible with the financial support of OneFortyOne and Wattle Range Council.
However, while the public would continue to have access to the lights and the toilet facilities, there would no longer be a structured classroom setting for schools without a coordinator.
She said that it was important to “get the children while they are young” when it came to teaching road safety and to help parents educate their children.
“The earlier they learn and the more they keep learning it becomes a habit for them to do it correctly,” Ms van der Heul said.
“It is when they get older and they have not got that structured learning that it makes it harder for them to do it, so if they start young and they keep doing it, it becomes a good habit.”
Schools and students from across the region have taken advantage of the program and the unique facilities offered in Millicent.
Home schooling groups, special needs students and even those as a far as Murray Bridge, Naracoorte and Kingston also attend the centre.
Hanging up her helmet one last time at the end of Term 2, Ms van her Heul does so with a heavy heart and said she will miss volunteering and working alongside the children.
“I just love the kids and I love interacting with them,” she said.
“I am teaching children of children that I have taught, including my youngest son Jason.
“Now I am teaching his children and my grand children, Lily who has just started reception and Harvey who is in Year 2.
“Basically I was going to pull the pin at the end of last year, but I needed to keep going to see them through.”
