Celebrating A'town's ‘Unsung Hero'

Otago Daily Times

02-05-2025

Arrowtown Preschool head teacher Jane Foster, surrounded by some of her charges, who was last week named Arrowtown Autumn Festival's 2025 Unsung Hero. PHOTO: SUPPLIED
Long-serving Arrowtown Community Preschool manager Jane Foster thought she was going for a quiet dinner at the New Orleans last week.
Instead, a group of costumed Arrowtown Autumn Festival committee members pounced, and promptly presented her with this year's 'Unsung Hero' award.
Foster, who'll retire this year after 36 years with the preschool, says it's "lovely" to be acknowledged, "but it's not why I do it".
"It's been a labour of love, and a big part of our lives, really, but when I got home and read all the lovely comments [in support of her nomination] I did get a bit teary."
She joined what was Arrowtown Playcentre, established in 1970, in '88, working alongside the likes of Marion Borrell and Susie Walker, stepping into the leadership role when they retired.
The committee later decided to break away and form the preschool — initially with 17 young charges — because the playcentre model "wasn't really serving the needs of the community".
Foster has overseen the expansion of the preschool to two sites, on Cotter Ave and Durham St, catering to 80 children, and has been a tireless fundraiser, handywoman, lawnmower, leader, and friend.
"We're so lucky here, the community are really focused on the quality, and the quality is in your staff and your teachers. They're the best resource the preschool will ever have."
Foster feels privileged to belong to a community which takes responsibility for children's learning, and "looking after the preschool".
But it's clear the community feels the same about her.
As one testimony says, her hard work and dedication keeping the preschool as a "true community hub" — a non-profit organisation where any surplus is reinvested into learning opportunities — is no small feat.
And as one of her tiny charges, aged 4, says: "Jane is the best because she loves me and she's kind.
"She's mostly doing work, but she's also kind."