Sebastopol teacher Gary Ebbels retires after 43 years

GARY EBBELS says today will be like any other day, but in reality it is the end of an era.After 44 years as a physical education teacher at Ballarat South Community Learning Precinct (previously known as Sebastopol College), Mr Ebbels will retire at the end of the day.“I’m going to miss the interaction with the students the most I think; the opportunity to influence and change the way people go about things,” Mr Ebbels said.A former Fitzroy Football Club player, he has seen his fair share of changes since he started out as a teacher in the 1960s.Back then, there were just pens and books, no computers and mobile phones weren’t even on the radar.“These days nearly every kid is walking around with a mobile phone, some have two,” he said.However, Mr Ebbels said one of the most positive changes was the opportunities students have nowadays.“When I started out, there were few options. If you were from this family you would do this and if you were from that family you would do that,” he said.“The opportunities for kids just keeps multiplying and they can go and do whatever they want.”Mr Ebbels said he never considered moving to another school and although today is his final day, the Ebbels name will live on at the school through his son Joshua, who has already been teaching PE at the school for 12 years.“If everybody gets as much out of their job as I do, then I think they would be pretty happy,” he said.Follow @Pat__Nolan