The Montrose community has rallied around their local crossing guard, Steve Price, after he was informed that his post would be reassigned due to recent road work upgrades in the area.
A petition has been posted on Change.org on 19 May to reinstate Mr Price, with 320 signatures gained so far.
Mr Price has been a crossing guard at the Montrose pedestrian crossing for eight years and is described as a fixture of the community in the petition.
“His presence at the Montrose crossing was not just a job, but a passion. Every day, Steve greeted our children, parents, and locals with a smile, ensuring the safety of everyone who used the crossing,” read the petition.
“His dedication and friendliness made him a central figure in our neighbourhood, and his absence is deeply felt.”
School crossing supervisors have a very important job assisting children and adults to safely cross the roads around schools at drop-off and pick-up times.
Mr Price was informed by the local council recently that his post would be reassigned somewhere else, and the decision has sent ripples through the Montrose community.
A spokesperson from Yarra Ranges Council said many of the Council’s school crossing supervisors are contracted through Hoban Recruitment.
“Before each school term, council provides Hoban with a list of school crossing sites that need a supervisor.”
The spokesperson said that these locations can change each term, so the assignments are never permanent and are on a term-to-term basis as per their Hoban contract.”
“Due to recent upgraded road and pedestrian safety works at the Montrose intersection, it has meant that only one supervisor is now required at that location, rather than two.”
Many who signed the petition for Mr Price have expressed their frustrations and concerns, with comments like, ‘Every morning on my drive to work, I observe how happy the families are that use his crossing,’ and ‘When you take a person like Steve out of the Community, you remove an essential part of all of us.’
For locals, Steve’s role extended far beyond his official duties. His consistent presence helped build trust, safety, and connection – qualities that cannot be easily replaced.
The petition urges the local council to reconsider and Steve Price deserves to remain at his original post, where he has shown unwavering commitment and passion.
“His presence at the crossing is vital, and his bond with the community irreplaceable.”
Star Mail will follow the petition for further developments.
