By Kyra Gillespie
Beaconhills College’s longest serving staff member Andrew Staindl has decided to have a change of scenery after 31 years in the job.
One of nine children, Andrew spent his childhood days in Maryknoll for 24 years and has fond memories of attending midnight mass and playing around the streets of the quiet town.
He was a student at Pakenham Secondary College and Warragul Regional College before he branched out into the workforce.
But he didn’t move far when he started off his apprenticeship with Maryknoll Builders in 1977 before undertaking a big building project in New Zealand for 12 months.
Upon his return, Andrew took up a maintenance job at Beaconhills College in 1986, with the intention of moving on after a year.
Thirty one years later he has finally decided to make that move.
“I only planned to work at Beaconhills for 12 months while I was building my own place, but the school had such a wide variety of jobs that I couldn’t help but stay.
“When I first started it was just a small country school, and in the early days everyone knew one another really well.
“But, of course, the school has grown a lot over the years and I just felt it was time for a change.
“The good thing about being in the same job for over 30 years was really getting to know the school and the buildings. That’s very valuable in my line of work.”
His line of work was broad, changing daily from maintenance to mowing and even unlocking parents’ cars when the keys were left inside.
“I’ve love being able to help the kids by building a better school environment.
“I’m not much of a gardener but I really enjoy the hands-on side of building.
“I love the outdoors, I couldn’t be stuck inside an office all day.”
School archivist and long-time colleague John Waterhouse said the familiar face will be missed around the school grounds.
“Andy started here in March 1986 when the school had a population of 348 students and staff, and for many years Andy was the sole maintenance person at school,” he said.
“His ‘green shed’ close to the classrooms was a focal point of the school where all repairs were carried out and all requests for practical help were taken.
“It is now college folklore that, on four separate occasions, Andy used the long Christmas break to gut the inside of the original portable buildings and reconfigure its layout – changes like classrooms converted into offices, main staffroom relocated, offices subdivided, additional ‘wings’ added for even more offices.
“He also found time to assist the Performing Arts Department with their props for many years, and he attended many early school camps.
“Andy has been a very valuable member of our community for three decades and he will be sorely missed.
“So we thank you, Andy, as do a whole generation of past parents, staff and students, for your commitment to our school and for your tireless work for such a long time, especially those early years when you were ‘the man’ to whom we all called upon for any practical help.”
Even after all those years of hard work, the father of two doesn’t quite feel ready to retire.
“I’ve still got at least 10 good years left in me,” he said.
“After that I’ll put my feet up and relax by the beach.”
