The Invercargill-based Literacy Aotearoa Charitable Trust manager will retire at the end of June, after more than two decades of supporting adult literacy education in Southland.
From one-on-one tutoring to introducing numerous group programmes, she had been a vital part of expanding the organisation’s reach.
‘‘When I first came here it was a small organisation where tutors met students at their homes and it was all volunteer-based.’’
Nearly 15 years later, adult literacy was being taught across the Southland-Otago region.
‘‘The programme has really grown and there’s always been a new challenge, which I’ve enjoyed.’’
Literacy Aotearoa taught literacy and digital skills to a range of adults, from those who had been out of the workforce for several years to people who never finished school and needed further qualifications to get jobs.
Mrs Garthwaite said when she started, she only knew how to turn on a computer and type.
‘‘A lot of it was self-taught in the beginning. As the organisation has developed, I’ve developed.’’
One of the biggest highlights in her career was being able to buy a company car in 2009 with Community Trust South help. It meant tutors could reach students right to Queenstown.
For Mrs Garthwaite, the people and the ‘‘feel-good stories’’ were what kept her in the role.
‘‘A lot of our adults have gone on to do great things. Some of them couldn’t read or write and have now gone on to work and lead successful lives.’’
Looking forward to some well-deserved time out, she said it had been ‘‘a great ride’’.
