Nita Doddridge has volunteered at Westminster School for nearly 60 years

Nita Doddridge has retired after nearly 60 years volunteering at Westminster School – a role she says has kept her young, thanks to the interaction with the students.

Nita Doddridge, 87, is retiring from volunteering at Westminster School. She is pictured with students Katherine and Kai. Picture: Tricia Watkinson

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Nita Doddridge is finally leaving her school days behind, after almost 60 years volunteering at Westminster School.

Mrs Dodridge, 87, has volunteered at the Marion school since it opened in 1961, when her son, Miles, started there as a founding student.

“I have always volunteered for things,” Mrs Doddridge said. “I get enormous pleasure from it. I love the involvement with all the lovely people at Westminster.”

Soon after Miles started at the school, Mrs Doddridge joined the Parents and Friends’ Association and helped set up a Mothers’ Club – now known as the Parents’ Club.

In 1977, she became the first woman to join Westminster’s
governing council.

Along the way, she has helped convene the school’s annual fair and worked in the uniform shop.

Her most recent volunteering role was helping with the school’s archives.

Mrs Doddridge said being Westminster’s longest-serving volunteer had kept her young.