More than a job | ourballarat summer 2023-24

Georgina Trgovac loves her job — she would recommend it to anyone.

Having worked as a school crossing supervisor with the City of Ballarat for more than 20 years, Georgina’s favourite part of the role has been the relationships she has built over the years.

“The children, parents and teachers come and speak to me, it is very nice,” she says.

“In the morning, the children come out and say ‘Good morning, Georgina’ and even if I feel sad, the children make me feel happy.”

School crossing supervisors play an important role in keeping students safe as they travel to school, and Georgina is grateful to live in a community that appreciates the importance of the role that she plays.

“Parents leave their children and they trust me to take care of them — it’s a very important job,” she says.   

The City of Ballarat employs about 82 school crossing supervisors. The role involves two shifts — morning and afternoon — where the crossing supervisor helps students and their families cross the road so they can get to and from school safely.

School crossing supervisors are operational during the school term, meaning they receive regular holidays throughout the year.

Coordinator Compliance Parking and School Crossings Suzanne Verdoorn says the City of Ballarat is always seeking to recruit school crossing supervisors, in both part time and casual capacities, to cater to the city’s growing population.

“It's a crucial role across the City of Ballarat, which requires awareness of what's going on around them and an understanding when an appropriate time to stop traffic is,” Suzie says.  

The connection to community is a big drawcard for many school crossing supervisors. 

“We have some crossing supervisors who have been in the role for up to 40 years,” Suzie says. 

Despite the early mornings, Georgina says she wouldn’t work anywhere else and plans to continue providing a safe crossing for the city’s children for as long as she can. It’s a common theme amongst other school crossings supervisors who have been in the role for many years. 

“It’s an appreciation that Georgina has felt firsthand when she has parents coming up to chat to her, sharing those really heartfelt moments,” Suzie says.

“It’s not something you get in every job, but it's something that Georgina really values.”