DECADES of work in the early childhood education sector, supporting children with learning difficulties, has earned Marie Billington an Order of Australia Medal (OAM).
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Mrs Billington came to Bathurst in 1975 and took up a job at Mitchell College working with children who had remedial reading needs.
That work led to the development of the Early Childhood Intervention Program in 1979, which evolved into the Bathurst Early Childhood Intervention Service (BECIS).
Mrs Billington worked there for 20 years, helping young children to overcome their learning difficulties.
"I still meet parents in the street that are the parents of children I taught who came through the centre," Mrs Billington said.
"Those children are now in their 30s and 40s and the parents are delighted with the way their children have turned out.
"Of course, some are still having some difficulties in getting work, not getting the support they really should be getting, but it's nice for me to go into town to see nice young adults who have a disability or a handicapping condition that held them back in their early life now being able to be integrated into the workforce."
Her work was something she did out of love, so to receive an OAM for it was quite a shock.
"I was extremely surprised when I first got the information to say I had been nominated, and then when I received the letter last week to say it had been finalised and I was receiving it, I was shocked, but I was honoured to know that the work I had done had been recognised in this manner, because it was important work," she said.
"I'm also delighted because it highlights the importance and the work done by early intervention services and particularly BECIS."
Mrs Billington maintains a connection with BECIS through her position on the board of management.
In addition to now being an OAM, Mrs Billington was also inducted as a Bathurst Living Legend in 2019.
