All present remembered Mrs Deeley as a kind, nurturing, inclusive, wonderful teacher, who had a major positive impact on their lives. Memories included the milk that she warmed and added cocoa to on the cold winter days, painting on newspaper, taking books from home to make a class library and all reported that they were very happy to go to school during that first year of school in Mrs Deeley’s class.

During conversations, Aniko thanked Mrs Deeley for her kindness and acceptance of the many migrant children who came from the migrant hostel. Glenyss remembered her kindness, easing fear and comforting manner after the vaccination teams came to school.

Heather remembered the birthday rituals and Mrs Deeley’s ability to make every child feel valued and special, despite the fact that there were 42 children in the class. Heather also thought that Mrs Deeley was a major influence on her decision to be a teacher and as a Kindergarten teacher of many years she had tried to emulate Mrs Deeley’s teaching style.

Kerrie remembered Mrs Deeley’s kindness in including her and neighbour Pater Jones in outdoor activities before they were old enough to attend school. Robert, Warren, Barbara and Christine all felt that Mrs Deeley had a strong influence on their lives which had carried through into their adult lives.

Michael reflected on his mother’s concern regarding his inability to interact and communicate in class and Mrs Deeley’s typical and positive reassurance that Michael was indeed one of the most vocal and active people in the class, which Michael feels was nurtured by Mrs Deeley.

Mrs Deeley reflected on the state of the classroom and the need to cover the hole in the walls with the childrens’ paintings done on newspaper. She recounted an incident where on a freezing cold day in March she was not able to access any wood at school because there was “no budget” for heating until Term 2.

A request for each child to bring some kindling resulted in a generous truckload of wood from the SAF Manager which meant  that the children in her care did not have to wear their overcoats in class. She talked about her experiences as a teacher and a memory of sharing a classroom with another teacher.

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One hundred children were enrolled in the two classes so the teachers taught in a “Team teaching” manner before the method became fashionable in the 60’s. All those in attendance had many questions for Mrs Deeley and were very impressed that she is so very active in the community in her retirement.

Mrs Deeley is still an inspiration to her students. She is very involved in volunteering at Lithgow Aged Care lodges, her  work as an elder in her church and at the Beehive. and now in her 91st year she has just passed her driving test with flying colours.

All who attended the afternoon, enjoyed the precious time spent with Mrs Deeley, who was very happy that some of her “old students” had wanted to spend time with her.