He’s the longest permanent Christian Pastural Support Worker in the State and has spent 18 years working at Naracoorte High School.

Mr Barnett - known to all as Trev - has watched the high school and particularly students change during his time as a chaplain.

He loves many aspects of the job including “representing Christ in a school community”.

“Just being with people, including the staff and students.

“Being able to support people and the different issues that they go through.

“It’s a privilege that people trust me with their problems.”

Mr Barnett receives great pleasure from helping students and gives guidance on many different areas of student life.

He said it could be emotional stress to “kids wondering what to do with their lives”.

The job isn’t just 9-5 either - he makes himself available all the time, including school holidays and weekends, so kids can ring and talk any time.

“As a Christian, working in the school is to honour God and the work that he does,” Trevor said.

Trevor has seen many changes in kids since he started at the high school.

“There are different pressures and stress,” he said.

“Kids are under a lot more pressure, particularly cyber-wise.”

He said kids had become very resilient “and they’ve adapted to the pressures.

“They tend to deal with things and get on with their lives.”

Born in Kingston, he moved to the family farm as a young boy and spent time “on the land”.

He joined the Australian Army and spent time in the national service before returning to the farm again.

Mr Barnett said his experience before his time at the high school had allowed him to draw on many of his own experiences when helping students with their futures.

“I did a whole lot of different jobs.

“When kids come in and want to talk about employment, I can share my experience.

“It gives you a starting point with them.”

Mr Barnett left the farm and studied theology in Adelaide, before returning to Naracoorte and applying for the position at the school.

Despite not being sure about the job, he took it anyway and “never looked back”.

Trevor spoke highly of the Interchurch Council and School Ministry Group’s work “behind the scenes.

“They’re the ones that do all the fundraising.”