By Shelby Brooks
When Emerald Primary School’s long-term handy man retired, he was celebrated as more than just a maintenance worker.
Dennis Fuller had served as a teacher at the school for a decade, before transitioning into the new role as a way to continue his connection with the community.
He taught in the Mallee before he moved to Emerald and started as a classroom teacher in 1989 where he taught every grade except prep over the following 10 years.
“A lot of people do the job because it’s their job, but I came along every day because I enjoyed it,” he said.
During his time as a classroom teacher, Dennis wrote plays for the students to perform.
He also developed a skill at storytelling, which he then did professionally at other schools across the state.
Some stories are from books, others he makes up from his own imagination.
His favourite to tell is about a Native American tribe first getting horses.
“I’ve told that story to preps, secondary students and adult audiences,” he said.
“I never heard anyone move or say anything apart from listen, it’s a lovely story.”
Dennis is particularly famous for the story, Who’s Got My Hairy Toe?, which young students can become completely entranced in, he said.
“I always believed if a child has a smile on their face, you can teach them anything,” he said.
“If they’re grumpy, they are someone else.”
In 1999, Dennis retired from classroom teaching but he didn’t leave the school completely.
He began to work as a maintenance and odd-job worker around the school.
For over 15 years, Dennis could be found early Monday mornings making the school look presentable for the week.
“I became part of the furniture,” he said.
“Monday morning 6.30am to make sure everything is tidy, no leaves, no mess.
“If things break, I try to fix it.
“It’s good because I can enjoy the kids without the responsibility.”
In addition to being the go-to person to fix something, he has also left his own quirky marks on the school.
Raise your eyeline into the trees and you’ll see a plethora of little creatures looking back at you.
Dennis approximates his passion for woodworking has resulted in about 70 individual wooden animals or artwork around the school.
“There’s stuff everywhere,” he said.
“Inside the classes, I started with little creatures on every door sign. It grew from there.”
Dennis Fuller retired from his role at Emerald Secondary College at the end of 2022, much to the sadness of students and staff at the school.
“The people at the school have been helpful and friendly,” he said.
“The peak of that has been Emma and Carice as one and two of the school.
“It’s a warm place to be you feel supported the kids are very nice and friendly.”
