Mrs Green, 78, had been a volunteer at the campus for 18 years, helping students with literacy and numeracy skills.

About 30 staff gathered for the occasion when Mrs Green was presented with flowers and a framed photo of herself with her immediate work colleagues, Robyn Will, Myra Matters and Pam Haylock.

She was also given a letter of congratulations for her outstanding service from the Department of Further Education, Employment, Service and Technology chief executive, Raymond Garrand.

Mayor Geoff Brock spoke on behalf of the community and congratulated Mrs Green for her services in helping those who without her support may not have been able to gain their certificate of trade.

“Sylvia is one of our unsung heroes,” he said.

Community education manager with the campus Clive Thomson could not speak highly enough of the valued volunteer.

“Sylvia is a respected and wonderful lady,” he said.

“She would not have an enemy in the world.”

The executive director of TAFE SA Regional, Denise Janek, travelled from the Adelaide head office for the event. “She has been fabulous,” she said of Mrs Green.

In response. Mrs Green was humble and spoke of what an amazing experience it had been over the years.

PHOTO: FANTASTIC…Work colleagues congratulate volunteer Sylvia Green, second from left, on 18 years service to TAFE SA Port Pirie campus at a farewell event on Thursday. They are Robyn Will, left, Myra Matters and Pam Haylock.