A community is up in arms after an award winning lollypop man was banned from high fiving students on their way to school.
Yarra Ranges Council has issued a reprimand to John Goulden, a crossing supervisor for the Mount Dandenong Primary School, in Melbourne’s east after receiving a complaint by a furious parent.
The beloved lollypop man is known to high five students on the pedestrian crossing as he holds up the stop sign.
Mr Goulden, who previously received the Victorian School Crossing Supervisor of the Year Award, was told he needed to comply with the council code of conduct rules.
‘Council has reminded the contractor who is currently supervising children at the Mount Dandenong Primary School of expectations of the role regarding interactions with children,’ the council said in a statement.
The council said their internal policies clearly state initiating unnecessary physical contact with children is considered inappropriate.
A spokeswoman told 7 News Mr Goulden must consider the safety of all children at the crossing, no matter how the high five is given.
‘(The) safest bet is to not do high-fives when supervising children crossing the road or as they pass in cars,’ she said.
The local council has reprimanded John Goulden (pictured) who is a crossing supervisor, for the Mount Dandenong Primary School, in Melbourne’s east, for high-fiving school students
Angry parents have rallied behind Mr Goulden and launched a petition so that he can continue to high five students.
The petition hailed crossing supervisor as a ‘morale booster’, who ‘promotes a more positive learning environment’.
‘His high fives in the morning and afternoon have become a tradition that many children look forward to,’ petition organiser Rohan Bradley wrote.
‘A small gesture that symbolises the warmth and friendliness of our unique community’.
Mr Bradley is angry that the tradition is under threat and urged fellow parents show their support, prompting an outpouring of support for Mr Goulden.
Angry parents lashed out at the council’s response and have rallied behind Mr Goulden (pictured) so that he can continue high-fiving students
The petition has attracted almost 400 signatures within a week and dozens of comments
‘John is the best. The children look forward to seeing him. Always happy and says hello. A great man,’ one supporter wrote.
Another added: ‘The children are supervised by their parents when the high-fiving takes place! This man is pure joy and a constant in our kids lives.’
A third wrote: ‘We need to preserve the little community spirit that we have left.’
Mr Goulden previously earned the praise of local MP Aaron Violi after the council announced he was the recipient of the award.
‘Congratulations John and thank you for keeping our school students safe,’ Mr Violi wrote on social media.
The council said that while the ban on the high fives in not strict, the safety and wellbeing of children always comes first.
‘If the high five is undertaken in accordance with Council’s Code of Conduct, considering the safety and supervision of all children on the crossing, the traffic on the road and is initiated by the child, then they are not universally banned.’
MelbourneVictoria (Australia)
