Without our wonderful volunteers U3A noosa wouldn’t be the hive of activity we all know and love. Almost everyone volunteers their time and talents including the President, management committee, receptionists, admin staff and tutors. Each month we introduce you to one of these hard-working people who contribute so selflessly to the smooth running of U3A noosa.
If Ann McGregor’s face seems familiar it’s no wonder for not only is she U3A noosa’s assistant treasurer, membership officer and newly appointed committee member but she is also one of Tewantin’s much loved “lollipop” ladies.
She was first employed as a school crossing supervisor in 1988 and 31 years later she is still shepherding youngsters across the road at the beginning and end of the school day.
Ann’s involvement with U3A noosa is not so long – she started working on Reception in 2012 – but long enough to make her an indispensable member of the team.
Ann comes from Kingaroy and was brought up in a farming family, the eldest of four children. After school she worked for the Peanut Marketing Board as a telephonist before taking up a post in the Auditor-General’s office in Brisbane. Marriage to Ken, the birth of two children, a move to Tewantin and a job as a crossing supervisor followed.
“I’ve been a lollipop lady for so long that I am now supervising the children of the school students I first taught to safely use the school crossing. The children are still lovely and the local drivers are often courteous when I am working on the crossing,” says Ann, who is now a proud grandmother.
Those who work at Michell House are used to seeing Ann leap up from her desk to rush off to school crossing duty for the start of her afternoon shift and return later. When she is not working she keeps busy with hobbies that include photography, craft and stamp collecting.
Says Ann: “U3A noosa has become an important part of my life. People are so friendly and willing to share their knowledge. It’s stimulating for body and mind and performs an important role in the community. Older people can easily get isolated and depressed but joining U3A gets people out and about and making new friends.”