One of Tasmania’s longest serving teachers is farewelling the classroom after nearly six decades.

After spending the last 56 years teaching in schools across southern Tasmania, the time was finally right for Veronica Emery to retire.

Veronica Emery, with her grandchildren Maeve, Luella, Elvina. Veronica retired in December 2022 after a 56-year teaching career, with her last posting at Bagdad Primary in southern Tasmania. Pic: Supplied.

ONE of Tasmania’s longest serving teachers is farewelling the classroom after nearly six decades.

After spending the last 56 years teaching in schools across country Tasmania, most recently at Bagdad Primary School, north of Hobart, the time was finally right for Veronica Emery to retire.

The 75-year-old spent more than half of her career working at Oatlands School, in the southern midlands, where she made history as the school’s first female principal.

“I have been unbelievably fortunate to be in a career that I’ve loved my entire life. Every aspect of it has been fulfilling and enjoyable and rewarding, and I can never imagine doing anything else,” Ms Emery said.

During her first week of teaching at Oatlands in 1967, Ms Emery acted quickly to protect students during the state’s deadly Black Tuesday bushfires.

Ms Emery also recalls the entire school coming together to watch the 1969 moon landing.

The veteran teacher served as principal at Oatlands, Brighton and Cambridge Schools before deciding to return to her roots as a primary school teacher.

Veronica Emery, as a younger teacher who worked at Oatlands Primary School for many years.

“I missed the actual teaching component which is what I trained for in the beginning. I loved being a principal but ultimately missed the grassroots in the classroom with the kids,” Ms Emery said.

“I never ever thought I’d be doing it for as long as I had. But the amazing young teachers that I’ve worked with have kept me young and been inspirational, as have the students.”

Coincidentally, Ms Emery has finished her career at the same place it started – Bagdad Primary School held their end of year picnic at Oatlands, where she first entered the classroom as a 19-year-old teacher.

Bagdad Primary School Principal Phil Novak described Ms Emery as a fantastic mentor to young teachers who always brought out the best in her students.

“The whole community absolutely adores Veronica. She’s just been such a rock for so many people over the years,” Mr Novak said.

“The amount of people she’s taught and their kids and so on – she’s just the sort of person who goes above and beyond for anyone, anytime.”

Originally published as One of Tasmania’s longest serving teachers is farewelling the classroom after nearly six decades.