For the past 25 years Lynn Wilkes has dedicated herself to the children of the Kendall community through her work at Kendall Community Preschool.
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The preschool staff organised a celebration in her honour on November 4.
Lynn said the preschool has a ‘lovely atmosphere’. She has always loved caring for children as she has two younger siblings and her first job was as a babysitter.
She loves to see the children even years after they’ve left the centre and hear all about what they are doing.
“It’s lovely that now I’m now teaching the children of children who I first taught years ago,” Lynn said.
Over the past 25 years Lynn has looked after over a thousand children.
She taught three of her four children, three grandchildren and six nieces and nephews.
“At one point three of my nieces were in my class and so I was called Aunty Lynn instead of Miss Lynn,” she said.
Lynn said each child has their own special way of making her feel like she had given them something to take into the world.
A lot of children remember Lynn for her famous back rubs and cuddles.
Former president of the Kendall Community Preschool Jacki Smith said Lynn had been an integral part of the Kendall community her whole life.
“She is a born and bred local identity,” she said.
Jacki said these days she can’t go anywhere with Lynn without her being stopped for a chat with parents or children she knows.
“Her love for teaching children is legendary, she said.
“Her laughter and enthusiasm is infectious and her knowledge is second to none.”
Over the 25 years Lynn has witnessed many changes to the preschool which has evolved from the small set up at the Kendall School of Arts to a thriving centre in 2017.
Jacki said Lynn is the constant beating heart and soul of the preschool.