Darwin childcare stalwart celebrates 30 years of service at Nightcliff Family Centre

COMBINING a true passion with an everyday job is not something that everyone can achieve, but that’s exactly what Darwin’s Irene Billias has been doing for the last 30 years of her life

Nightcliff Family Centre assistant director Irene Billias celebrated 30 years at the centre on Monday. She is pictured with Rebe cca Wigg, who attended the centre as a student 28 years ago, her son Isaac Wojtowicz, 3 (who attends today) and baby Heidi Wojtowicz, 7 months. Picture: Michael Franchi

COMBINING a true passion with an everyday job is not something everyone can achieve but that’s exactly what Darwin’s Irene Billias has been doing for the last 30 years.

On Monday, the Nightcliff Family Centre assistant director celebrated an outstanding three decades of service to the local business and said she has enjoyed every minute.

“I’ve been here for 30 years and I’m still smiling — I just love it,” she said.

Aside from seeing her own children and grandchildren go through the centre, Ms Billias has also worked with several generations from other Territory families.

“At the moment I’m looking after children of children I met all those years ago — it’s so beautiful,” she said.

“When the parents come back with their kids they always ask if I’m still here and it makes me feel very privileged.”

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Darwin’s Rebecca Wigg attended the Nightcliff Family Centre 28 years ago and said she has fond memories of playing, learning and laughing with Ms Billias. “I came here with my cousin and really enjoyed it,” she said.

Now a mother herself, Ms Wigg sends her son Isaac Wojtowicz, 3, to the centre. “After knowing Irene for all those years and being familiar with the centre, we wouldn’t think to go anywhere else,” she said.