Anne Garner was a much-loved teacher at Shepparton East Primary School, remembered for her dedication to her students, her love of literacy and the strong connections she formed with the school community.
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Her husband, Wayne, said Anne would probably have been a little embarrassed about having an award named in her honour.
“She was humble and never one to seek glory,” he said.
That was certainly the case in 1993, when Anne won $10,000 as first prize in the Herald Sun Football Tipping competition, beating 20,000 other entrants.
Despite receiving plenty of publicity and encouragement from friends, Anne was more excited about what the win could mean for others, telling her husband she hoped she won because it would bring “so much joy and excitement to the ladies” at the Shepparton footy club.
As a leading teacher at Shepparton East Primary School, Anne was responsible for promoting the school’s literacy program and helping staff develop new skills and practices.
“She also undertook training to become a Reading Recovery teacher, working with early readers who were at risk of falling behind,” Wayne said.
“Seeing those students progress, develop confidence and discover a love of reading was her reward.”
Anne adored Shepparton East Primary School, its students, parents and fellow staff members.
She also served on the school council for the entire time she was at the school.
Even after being diagnosed with motor neurone disease on the second-last day of the 2005 school year, Anne’s focus remained on her students.
“While her class was heading to the pool to celebrate the end of the year and fellow teachers encouraged her to go home and rest, Anne insisted on going with them,” Wayne said.
“That was the type of person she was.
“The school, and especially me, were so lucky.”
The Anne Garner Award has been presented at Shepparton East Primary School since 2007 in her honour.
It’s awarded yearly to a Year 2 student and recognises academic excellence and progress in literacy over the previous year.
The award is a lasting way of remembering the teacher she was and the difference she made to so many young students.
