Despite retiring earlier this year, Merrilyn Dews can't stay away from Wangaratta Primary School - it's where she went as a child, after all.
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"It was totally different to what it is now, as I occasionally like to remind present-day students," she said.
"It was just sitting in a desk and copying off the blackboard - no talking allowed!"
Despite being far from the top student back then, Ms Dews knew from a very young age she wanted to be a teacher - and has been recognised by the Victorian Department of Education for her 45-year-career.
After joining the Toorak Teacher's College in 1974, her first teaching gig was at Mount Waverley in 1977.
"After a few years I decided I wanted to move back to the country," Ms Dews said.
"I taught at several schools around the area, including Whorouly South, Bobinawarrah East, Carraragarmungee, Boorhaman and Yarrunga.
"In 1992 I was appointed to the Wangaratta Primary School."
In the following decades, Ms Dews' main career interests were teaching science and advocating for her colleagues through the Australian Education Union, as a regional representative.
"I believe science is our future - it will be through science and technology that we are able to tackle the environmental issues that will be faced by the students of today," she said.
"One of the biggest changes I have seen in teaching is the increasing accountability and the resultant workload.
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"I see an outstanding group of educators at Wangaratta Primary ... but wish they had less demands placed on them."
She continues to enjoy spending time with staff and students as a fill-in teacher.
"I have met so many wonderful people over the years - I am always thrilled to meet parents and students that I have taught," Ms Dews said.
"It is one of my 'rules' of class that if you see me out and about, you must come up and say hello, no matter how many years have passed."
Also recognised for service of 40 years or more were Bryony Lepoidevin (Benalla P-12), Colleen McQuillen (Chiltern Primary) and Allan Sinclair (Wangaratta District Special School).
