Judy has been a literal ingredient in the kitchen as a volunteer for several years, then 23 years as canteen supervisor, serving generations of students with care. 

She paused for a few minutes while a bustling army of women cleared up morning tea, began toasting sandwiches for lunch, loaded pies into the oven and stopped every now and then to give Judy a pat on the back.

Judy felt the women around her have been like a family, and she said her choice to retire did not come easily.

“It was a hard decision, I just really feel it’s been such a large part of my life, and to suddenly stop, that’s going to be the sad part,” she said.

“I don't think for a while it will hit me, because I am going away, because all I’ve been able to think about is getting ready to go away.” 

She is embarking on a trip to the western United States for a five-week tour from Disneyland in California to a glacier top in the Rocky Mountains.

After formally hanging up her virtual apron for the last time, she thought the holiday would give her a good break to think about the next chapter of life. 

Judy stepped up as supervisor 23 years ago when the woman in the role before her decided to move on. She encouraged Judy, who had been a stay-at-home-mum to apply, and Judy thought she would give it a try.

“The day she walked out, I said, ‘How long’ve you been here Lorraine?’ And she said, ‘Seven years’,” Judy recalled.

“I said, ‘Huh, I’ll never be here seven years!’ 23 years later…” and she chuckled.

Judy hopes to get some lie-ins after several decades of early rises and the daily rhythm of preparing food, greeting generations of students and staff, and spending time with a close-knit circle in the canteen.

“I suppose the word’s consistent,” she said.

“There’s a lot of love, and giving.”