The Great Reinvention: 'I quit my job to become a lollipop lady'

Welcome to The Great Reinvention, where 9Honey takes a look at people who have thrown caution to the wind when it comes to their jobs. This week, we meet Wendy, who quit her successful career in the media industry to become the local lollipop lady.

The kindergartener approached as I was slipping on my uniform in the school corridor.

"Are you a fireman?" he asked.

"No, I'm a lollipop lady. I help children cross the street."

His disappointment was palpable, but for me, it was a huge moment. It was the first time I'd articulated who I am. Today.

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And that's Wendy, the lollipop lady. Not the radio or television producer, the editor, columnist or journalist — all titles which, during 40-plus years in the media, had given me an identity, if not a little clout.

But a year ago, at 60ish, I understood my job was outgrowing me and I was getting lost in an increasingly unrecognisable media landscape. I was fast becoming invisible. 

So, I quit, the irony hilarious as I stood in the middle of a school crossing, dressed in fluoro yellow and armed with a sign shouting STOP.

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Never had I been more visible. Weird, too, that after years working around the world, I was back in Manly where I'd begun my newspaper cadetship in 1978, and just a little poetic as my new job offered the same fulfilment.

Every day I get to engage with people from all walks of life, hear their stories and become a part of their community.  

It may be the first-grader proudly brandishing her merit award, or the female impersonator showing off his new wig. It may be the high school boys yelling "thanks" as they pelt across to catch their bus, or Bella the retriever flopping at my feet for her belly rub.

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Then there is the cheeky shout-out from the passing garbo, the car crammed with P-platers cranking up their music so I can cut a few moves, or the tradie tossing me a Zooper Dooper on a hot day.

I'm part of that very rich community, reminded constantly when cruising through the shops. 

"Hi lollipop lady!" 

That's who I am. And I couldn't be happier.