Roy Golsby-Smith was a dedicated worker at the school for almost two decades, maintaining the grounds and looking after the property.

Mr Golsby-Smith was invited out on Thursday to receive a plaque and recognise his hard work between 1990 and 2008. He worked under four different principals and countless staff shifts, but Mr Golsby-Smith was always a mainstay at the school.

His projects around the school remain, a reminder of how hard he worked. He created most of the gardens around the grounds, as a labour of love. One of these gardens has now been renamed after him, commemorating it as the "Roy Golsby-Smith Garden."

Formerly, it was known as the Tractor Garden, after the metal structure decorating it.

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Principal of Hanwood Public School Monica St Baker has fond memories of working with Mr Golsby-Smith during their shared tenure. She remembered sitting with Mr Golsby-Smith on Saturday mornings in the staff room, talking over a cup of tea.

"Roy was a farmer so he was very handy. He fabricated many of the tools he used such as a trolley, cart and hose reel. These now take pride of place in his new garden." said Mrs St Baker.

Mr Golsby-Smith is now enjoying his retirement at Bupa Retirement Village, relaxing after his long and greatly appreciated work at Hanwood Public School. The school is getting ready to farewell another long-serving staff member over the weekend, as Julie Napoli gets ready to end her work with the school.

Ms Napoli just edges out Mr Golsby-Smith for years of service, leaving after 19 dedicated years.

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