Closing one gate, opening another

Sue and Lloyd Schneider closing the gate on a lengthy chapter of their lives. Image: Kimberly Grabham/The Riverine Grazier.

By Kimberly Grabham July 5, 2023

Sue and Lloyd Schneider (pictured) are one of those iconic local couples.

A dynamic couple who has spent a combined 49 years working for the local schools, they are closing that chapter in their lives.

Sue says she feels fantastic about the decision. “I am quite ready,” she said.

“We head off for Mission Beach, and will spend six weeks there. We will take our time coming back, spending a week here and there at places we choose on the way home.”

To top it all off, their children, Kylie and Chris and their respective families will be joining them at Mission Beach, taking the opportunity to celebrate Lloyd’s milestone 70th birthday.

One of 14 children, Sue Fayle was born in Hay, and has spent her life here. She met Lloyd Brettschneider, also a lifelong Hay resident, in 1973.

“He lived in Piper Street, and I lived in Macauley,” she said. “We knew of each other but never really hung around together before then.”

Sue started at Hay War Memorial High School in 1981 when Chris was four.

Her initial role was as a cleaner, back in the day when it was a government cleaning service.

“The principal would pay us weekly by cheque,” Sue recalled.

After a time, the service changed to Menzies, and Sue discontinued her cleaning duties just before the company changed to the current cleaning company, Joss.

She is the epitome of what every mother strives to be.

When her daughter Kylie was headed to university, sheer determination to make it work drove Sue to juggle her roles at the high school, and also to waitress at Hay Services Club at night times.

“I would get there early and clean in the morning, and then change quickly so I could be the teacher’s aide,” Sue recalled. “I would also perform support roles in Science and Home Science.

“Then, after school, I would get changed again, and clean in the afternoon, and waitress at Services Club at night.

“I slowed down a bit after Kylie finished university, and worked solely in the kitchen and science departments full time.”

Sue’s role was termed School Administration Officer for Science and TAS departments, but she has really been Jill of all trades, an indispensable, reliable person who just gets in and gets the job done.

Lloyd started off his working life in the sheds as a roustabout, and then moved to Donohoe’s builders.

After a time, he gained a role at the Shire, and was employed there for 37 years.

He then moved on to Hay War Memorial High School, and Hay Public School, as greenskeeper.

His official date of retirement is September 14, and Sue’s is August 1; but they are off.

“The caravan is already half packed,” Sue said with a laugh.

They have had several trips away before, caravanning.

They bought their first van in 2012, and have travelled up and down the Central Coast, and Queensland over three times.

“We would like to travel a lot more, and should probably concentrate on the other half of Australia now,” Sue said with a laugh.

Sue is enthusiastically looking forward to delving into different projects in her retirement, particularly sewing.

“I have seen patterns for bags that I would like to try, and many other things,” she said.

Lloyd said he is not particularly excited to be retired, but that it was definitely time.

“Although, I have done nothing for a whole week now, it’s different,’ he said with a smile.

When it gets below 30, Lloyd considers it cold, but he will enjoy fishing in the summertime, clay shooting, and will love having more time to spoil all of his grandchildren.

“How could I ever get bored really, with all the Caughey kids to take away for sports and things,” he said happily.

Blessed with two successful children, and strong cohort of grandchildren following in their successful footsteps, the couple is busy and proud.

Their grandson Charlie, son of Chris, was recently transferred to Seattle with the Air Force.

“At the end of the day, Lloyd is content wherever the Murrumbidgee River is,” Sue said.

“He will probably be going on little trips in the van around that area, but I will save myself for the big trips.”

Lloyd said his favourite working role was at Hay Public School.

“All of the teachers and children were so friendly, and it was nice to be able to interact with the children,” Lloyd said.

Another thing that the couple have and will continue to treasure is their relationship with the Kerr family, and in particular being invited to Grandparents’ Days at Hay Public School by the Kerr children.

“They don’t have any grandparents in the area, and we love filling that role,’ the couple said.

“I am also glad to have two Kylies,” Lloyd added.

“When we are together, I call out ‘Kylie - daughter’ when I am referring to our Kylie, and they both answered one day, so now I have two Kylies.”

Sue and Lloyd will both be terribly missed in their respective roles.

Two veritable peas in a pod in every aspect, their work ethic, presence and everything about them will be the toughest act to follow.

Congratulations, and all the very best on your tandem retirements.

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