Much has changed since Corinne Collins began teaching in 1971, but one thing that has not changed is her passion for education.
Ms Collins retired from teaching in August, finishing up a 17-year stint as principal at Warragul North Primary School and wrapping up an impressive career.
Her friends, family and colleagues came together a few months later at Frankies in Warragul to celebrate her achievements.

After more than 51 years teaching, Ms Collins' eyes still light up when she talks about her students, many of whom stop her in the street to say hello.
She says she will miss witnessing students having "ah-ha" moments when they first grasp a new concept and seeing students make progress in their learning.
At just 17 years old, Ms Collins began a graduate diploma of teaching at Geelong Teacher's College. She was among the first group of teachers to complete a three-year course, instead of the previous two-year course.
Once she completed her degree she headed to Europe for a few months and then returned to officially launch her career at Nayook Primary School, which had only two teachers - Ms Collins and the school principal.
Foreshadowing what was to come for Ms Collins in her working life, she ended up running the school in the second half of the year. During this time, Ms Collins recalls learning an important occupational health and safety lesson.
During an end-of-year concert, Ms Collins had students wear red and white crepe paper outfits and thought it would be a good idea to have them enter the hall carrying lit candles. She soon recognised the hazard, and luckily the evening was a great success.
The following year, 1972, was a big year for Ms Collins. She began teaching at Hawthorn West Primary School, met her best friend Jan Gough, got married, and became pregnant with her daughter, Nadina.
Back then, women were expected to resign once they became pregnant, but Ms Collins was determined to remain an educator - which she now describes as a "way of life" rather than a job.
Instead, she kept teaching and applied for a transfer to Ascot Vale Primary School. Fortunately, her daughter was born during the school holidays, and when Ms Collins started at Ascot Vale Primary in February, she did not tell her colleagues she had a baby. Each day she dropped off Nadina at creche and did not miss a single day of school.
In 1975 Ms Collins began working as head of prep at Warragul Primary School and remained there for two years. She then completed a graduate diploma of special education and began a new position at Baltara Special School in Parkville in 1978.
The following year she returned to Gippsland to work at Baringa Special School, and a couple of years later she took up a position with the Gippsland Visiting Teacher Service.
Ms Collins later returned to Warragul Primary School in 1983 and remained there for 12 years. In her final year, she took up the role of acting principal, marking her entrance into school leadership.
She was then appointed assistant principal of Trafalgar Primary School in 1995 and in 1996 worked as a curriculum consultant for the West Gippsland district.
In 1997 Ms Collins returned to her role as assistant principal at Trafalgar Primary School and by July was appointed principal - a position she remained in until 2005.
Ms Collins fondly recalls campaigning for a new roof at Trafalgar Primary School and successfully halting a development across the road from the school that she says would have greatly impacted school pick-ups and drop-offs and the safety of students.
Trafalgar's flat roof was subjected to constant flooding and Ms Collins was determined to act. During a particularly bad day of flooding, she had photographs taken of the problem. After securing a meeting with the Education Department's general manager of facilities to discuss the future of school infrastructure in Victoria, Ms Collins said she laid out all the images and asked how Trafalgar Primary would be able to upgrade its facilities in line with technological advancements if its roof kept causing flooding. The school received funding shortly after.
In 2005 Ms Collins became principal at Warragul North Primary School, where she remained for the last 17 years of her career.
Throughout her career, Ms Collins said she believed "knowledge is power". She still firmly believes that state education is the "litmus test of our society" - every child should be able to achieve to their potential and become a high court judge or even prime minister.
In her retirement, Ms Collins hopes to spend more time with her daughter and enjoy a different pace of life.
Throughout the 25 years Corinne worked as a principal she appreciated the unconditional support given to her by her late husband, Garry Allen, who died in May this year.
She said she was surprised by the massive turnout at her retirement function and enjoyed catching up with those who had all been a part of her career and life.