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Robyn shares bond with students at special school

Bundaberg Special School
Robyn Dunn has been a cleaner at Bundaberg Special School for over three decades and loves her role. Photo: Sabrina Lauriston Photography

At just 18 years of age Robyn Dunn was one of 300 people to apply for a cleaner position at Bundaberg Special School.

She got the job and has never looked back.

Robyn's work has been highlighted as part of a Bundaberg Regional Council project called Our People Our Stories, which shares the stories of residents and celebrates the local community.

Employed at the special school for 36 years, Robyn said she loved everything about her role and the beautiful people she got to work alongside every day.

“Each student is special, they touch a part of you,” she said.

“I’ve grown a lot in life through this job. I’ve learnt a lot. This school has shown me the way and opened my eyes.”

Robyn said she knew the name of every student at Bundaberg Special School and loved to have a chat with them, sharing in their stories of the day.

She said she even kept in touch after graduation and enjoyed watching the children grow and blossom into adulthood.

Bundaberg Special School
Bundaberg Special School cleaner Robyn Dunn.

“I’ve even had a first beer with the students once they are old enough,” she laughed.

The special bond Robyn shares with the students comes from a place of love and compassion she has experienced within her own life.

Robyn said she was adopted as a baby and had always felt privileged to have been able to find a loving family to call her own.

“I was adopted, born in Brisbane and left at the Salvation Army Hospital,” she said.

“After six weeks my adoptive mum and dad chose me – Gladys and Les Dunn – and I also have an adopted brother who is two years older than me.

“We are the special ones. I like to refer to myself as the chosen child because I feel very lucky that someone chose me.”

Affectionately known as Miss Robby by students and her peers, Robyn said she would always have a connection to the students of Bundaberg Special School.

“The one thing that makes me come to work are the kids. I love to just have a chat,” she said.

“If I can put a smile on their face when I walk through the gate, it’s made my day and if a student can put a smile on my face, I’m good.”

The first 10 stories created under the Our People Our Stories project have been released and are available to read here. Stories will be released on a regular basis over coming months.

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2 COMMENTS

2 COMMENTS

  1. Only 300 people for a unskilled position? Isn’t Bundaberg suppose to have like 12,000 unemployed?

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