Lollipop king

By EMMA SUN
MONTROSE crossing supervisor Peter Toomey has seen a lot in his time – children, parents, their pets, and the odd wallaby.
But he never thought his work at the crossing would lead to him winning the Eastern Region School Crossing Supervisor of the Year award.
Mr Toomey beat five other Yarra Ranges crossing supervisors and many others from Knox, Dandenong and Cardinia for the prestigious title.
He said he was shocked but very proud to receive the award.
“When they said my name, I was like ‘they must’ve made a mistake, it can’t be me’,” he said.
Mr Toomey has been a crossing supervisor for about 17 years, and has spent about 14 of those years at the Sheffield Road crossing outside Billanook Primary School.
The former teacher and radio announcer said he had watched children grow from preppies to teenagers during those years.
“It’s interesting because some of the little preppies that I would help across the road now drive past with their P-plates on, and would open the window and say hi.”
He said he loved working at the crossing as it allowed him to help out in the community.
“After I retired I thought it was something useful and good for the community that I could do, which still left me with a fair chunk of time during the day to do things I like for myself,” he said.
“I love the contact with the children and the parents and the teaching staff and I’ve had fantastic support from the school in this quest.”
Mr Toomey normally sees about 40 children through his crossing in the morning, and can see up to 150 most afternoons.
During peak times such as walk to school days, he ensures the safe crossing of more than 200 children.
While Mr Toomey normally helps children and parents, he has also seen an unusual pedestrian – a wallaby.
“I’ve had people on horses, because there are quite a few equestrian centres in the area, and I was about to finish this afternoon when I heard something coming,” he said
“I didn’t know what it was and I thought it might’ve been a horse, but then a wallaby comes out of the bush and went racing across and didn’t wait for me to blow the whistle.
“Luckily there was no traffic but it was really unusual – there wouldn’t be many people in the suburban area who have helped a wallaby.”
Mr Toomey said he would work as a crossing supervisor for as long as possible.
“I enjoyed doing it very much and hope I will be able to continue doing it for a while yet,” he said.