A LOCAL crossing supervisor received a great surprise when she was declared the best in the whole of Victoria

Gail Birch has been Portland South Primary School’s friend and crossing lady for seven years, standing her ground on Moorhouse Street for seven years every morning and afternoon.

She recently was named a regional winner of one of seven School Crossings Victoria’s regions, but last week took the ultimate prize as the best supervisor in the state.

Besides her duty just outside the school each day, Ms Birch adds extra colour to the school with dress ups on the crossing for special days such as book day, participates in the annual Upwelling Parade alongside the staff, students and parents, helps out at school working bees, has trained students for Interschool Cricket and plenty more.

She has donated a coffee machine for the staff room and leaf blower for the garden, regularly swept the school’s front gate and entry way to keep it neat, and volunteers in the library every Wednesday.

Her constant contribution to the primary school has made her a favourite among students, parents and the staff.

Portland South Primary School principal Vicki Fisher said Ms Birch was the perfect example of what it means to have community spirit.

“From my point of view and everyone else, Gail is part of our school, part of our team and part of the staff,” she said.

“She volunteers in our library, she comes to working bees, she'll sell raffle tickets at the school concert, and she donated a coffee machine

“She helps the Easter Bunny and Santa, and dresses up to help them, so she'll buy all the easter eggs and the lollies for all the kids.

“When she went overseas to England, she bought back pens for every student.

“She joins in our staff photo, she comes to our staff end of year functions, So really, she's just one of us and a special part of our team.”

The whole school is so fond of her, that on her birthday, they file outside and sing Happy Birthday to her before her morning shift finishes at 9am.

Ms Birch was nominated for the award by a group of the primary parents two years ago before COVID came into the picture, which then made the process a long wait.

When it came the time to attend the award ceremony at the Melbourne Novotel, Ms Birch had no idea she would be receiving two trophies for School Crossings Victoria Inc Supervisor of the Year, firstly in her region and then the state prize.

The event was attended by 170 School Crossing supervisors from across seven regions in Victoria.

Ms Fisher said she jumped for joy, when she was the first person Ms Birch rang and told she had won both awards.

Ms Birch said she would like to thank Portland South Primary School staff, teachers and the whole community who nominated her.

“My mom was stoked, she said she had a tear in her eye, and said ‘I love you little girl, I’m so proud of you’,” she said.

“Everybody's just been so great and so friendly, and I'm involved with the school in every way, and everybody's just welcomed me with open arms.

“I wouldn't want to work anywhere else I could tell you that for sure.

“I was talking to some of the kids before where I remember when they were born, because I've been here seven years now, and now they're in prep.

“I just hope I’m still here for when they have kids and bring them here, that’d be great.”