Almost every Southern Riverina primary school-aged student in the last 40 years has come under the guidance of Helen Dickie.
Mrs Dickie is an institution in local education circles, after sharing her love of the stage with thousands of young people.
The Berrigan-based theatre enthusiast has had a hand in school productions at Barooga Public School, Tocumwal Public School, Sacred Heart Primary School (Tocumwal), Berrigan Public School, St Columba's Primary School (Berrigan, which is no longer operating), Jerilderie Public School and Jerilderie’s St Joseph’s Primary School.
But she is now stepping back.
Her final production will be the Jerilderie Public School rendition of The Frog Prince today.
Mrs Dickie’s association with schools began when Barooga Public School successfully applied for a Country Areas Program grant.
The then principal asked her to help with school activities.
“I was asked by Barooga Public School to come in as a teacher of speech and drama about 40 years ago,” she recalled.
“Since then I’ve worked with almost every school in the region.”
The only primary schools she has not had a relationship with are the two based in Finley.
“I used to bring directors down from Sydney to work with the kids after school,” she said.
With a schedule of about 10 weeks for each play and completing two or three productions each year, Mrs Dickie has spent almost all of the school years working with students to provide entertainment to family and friends.
In this endeavour, she has not worked alone.
Her husband Malcolm, who was instrumental in establishing the Berrigan Bushdrovers more than 30 years ago, has been her right hand man.
“He had to learn the best way to do sound for the band, and has been doing the sound for our plays ever since,” Mrs Dickie said.
Someone who has also had a fundamental role in the productions is long-time friend Jill Petzke, who has been the wardrobe coordinator for many years.
With the final curtain call of Mrs Dickie’s school play career about to come down, she said the future of local school plays was in very safe hands.
“One of my former students, the lovely Ben Stonnill, will be taking over from me,” she said.
“He was my star pupil.
“I couldn’t think of anyone better to keep them going.”
Mr Stonnill is making his directorial debut with the program as the 2022 Jerilderie Public School play’s assistant director.
He said Mrs Dickie’s role in helping schools provide entertainment for family and friends, as part of the local schools’ programs, has been unparalleled.
For her services to the arts and education, Mrs Dickie was awarded an Order of Australia Medal in 2006.
She and Mr Dickie were also named joint Berrigan Shire Citizens of the Year in 1996.
What started out as a diversion from potential boredom turned into a passion for helping country people and their communities and Mrs Dickie has loved being a part of them.
“The kids love it and the whole town gets so excited,” she said.
The Country Areas Program is part of the NSW Department of Education and Training Equity Directorate.
It contributes to the enhancement of the learning outcomes for students in geographically isolated areas so their learning outcomes match those of other students.