Farewell Speech –St George Girls High School Kogarah–Monday December 20 2011

 It is a surreal feeling to be leaving St George Girls after 35 years. I thank Carole and Wes for their kind words.

 I have served under 4 Principals- Lyle Woyde , Jenny Rowse , Kay Murray and Carole   Knott ; Deputies – Arthur Williams , Bob Scott, Bob Zukerman , and Noel Morris ; 3 Heads of Department , Graham Shea (1977-1978) , Bob Ritchard (1979 –1996) and Wes (1997 to the  present ) at the school. I have been honoured to have served as a staff member for 35 years, and the Assistant Supervisor of Saturday School,St George Centre for 10 years from 1986. I was the Patron of the Old Girls in my Local Government capacity 1999-2008.

 I consider myself privileged to have been a teacher for 36 years, and a Local Government Councillor for 17 years, serving Rockdale City Council for 8 years and  Kogarah  Council for 9 years. I plan to move on to writing as my next career – initially it will be a local history.

 My first appointment was at Figtree High School, Wollongong. There I assisted as Athletics coach for students participating in Zone and State Athletics, did Scottish dancing outside of school, and got to know the South Coast very well.

 I was appointed to St George in late February 1977 as a Social Science / Maths teacher.I recall being told of the transfer by my then Figtree High School Principal, Mr Brokenshire,late one Friday afternoon.  I taught Junior Maths/ Social Science for a few years, before then teaching only Social Science subjects. 

 On my first day at St George Girls, I wore a brown box pleated Fletcher Jones skirt- a mini skirt, and a bright green Fletcher Jones top. I still have the skirt and top –and yes, all these years later I can still get into it the skirt! I wore brown high heel shoes, which showed off my well- honed sprinters’ legs. I trust that I still have these 35 years later, as a result of a vigorous campaign of walking to school over the past 2 years. Meg has often commented on my weight loss and the rehoned muscles!

 I have seen many changes at St George Girls over 35 years; too may to comment on here today.   Recently, I attended a reunion of the 1980 and 1986 HSC students; it was great to talk about the old days so to speak and highlight some of the changes.   It was lovely to be so warmly welcomed by these ex- students, and to learn of their journey after St George. The 1980 girls do remember my purple leather trousers ……..

 I have enjoyed the challenges of teaching our students. We are very privileged to be able to work with such talented students.These students will achieve much in their working lives and be the leaders in their fields in the future. The seeds for their success have been sown at St George Girls. We are mentors in ways that may not be so obvious to our students. 

 Over the years, I have been involved in a number of different school activities; Student Council supervisor and organisor of school dances, Environmental Club, Committee for Year 9 Old Peoples Party and Year 12 farewell.  .My most significant effort was put into the running of the School Mock Trial team for 17 years.  This effort would not have succeeded without the wonderful effort of our then school coach – Mr Ritchard Kitching, a local solicitor.    

 In my time at St George, I have always believed that the school should have solid links to the community. I have supported this in my faculty, Social Science, with countless guest speakers, which I organized to widen the knowledge of the students. Sir Laurence Street was the last visitor. I have assisted other faculties with speakers – History in particular with Mr Whan, former member of the Whitlam Ministry,and Patricia Rovik, an ex- student from  1939,  to speak on her fascinating life.

 In my role as a Justice of the Peace, I have witnessed many signatures, for staff and students.  I have also assisted staff with DA’s – as applicants and as objectors. For many years, I gave my subscription copy of Look to the Art  Department; my subscription copy of The Week is passed on to some of the History staff. 

 In my life after St George, next year, I will replace students and teachers names with jockeys,horse trainers, and horses,  as I move on with my History of Moorefield  Racecourse , Kogarah 1888-1951. This will be my first published book in my own right. Next year, I will recreate part of the journey of my Scottish Grannie, as she journeyed from Glasgow to Sydney, to celebrate her 100 years in Australia. I have her ticket and log –both wonderful historical items.

 I thank the Social Science staff for their wisdom,assistance , guidance and friendship over the years. Keith and I have sat next to each other since 1979 and never has there been a terse word said when it could have been said over the state of my piles on my messy desk .We did however have a piece of timber –the Berlin Wall, which has forever divided us. My desk has been an undulating landscape for 35 years.  

 Keith in fact wrote about my desk in 1987 and the article found its way into a  Writing K-12 publication.

 Keith described my desk – ‘it rises out of the mists of the staff room an object that causes those nearby to shudder with apprehension, let alone one of its massive structures tumble and precipitate disaster. Were an earthquake to occur in Kogarah , its epicentre would be the Social Science staffroom for the object in question sometimes shifts and settles under its own weight and seismologists would know where to look –at Miss Field’s desk of course.  He continued, but I will not read the rest today.

 I have entertained the Social Science staff for 35 years.  One had to be a member of the Social Science faculty to appreciate my stories of travels far and wide, my political stories, the interesting people I have met, or some of conversations I have had –sometimes in planes, taxis and restaurants.

 I have had a very good turn of phrases which have been useful over the years –   Wes often cites back to me, with raised eyebrows, I “do not reveal my sources.”

 Helena and I have taught Paul the difference between a fascinator and a hat. Ken actually gets to see my race day hats when we attend Race Meetings at Rosehill or Randwick. Shirley checks my jewellery for symmetery, and Di often flies by in the corridor and comments on my colour coordination.

  Isabella Law in Year 11 wrote me a lovely letter. In it she says “I admire your different outfits and how you team them with a scarf, some accessories and most important, that smile.” Isabella and Gina (Karlikoff) in Year 10 roll call, in 2010, began their analysis of my accessories. They know that all of my scarves and jewellery have a story attached to them. The Social Science Department recently added to my collection with a beautiful Italian Silk scarf.

 I have always remembered my impeccably dressed English teacher – Miss Yvonne Booth at my high school in Newcastle–she left an impression on me. I trust, that I have left an impression on our students, of the importance of good presentation.

 To the staff which includes Nora, secretarial staff, Neil, and Eileen and the cleaning staff , thankyou for your friendship, professionalism and valued assistance over the years. Over the years, I have formed friendships with staff across faculties, and I remain in contact with some former staff. 

  I believe that I have served St George Girls, well. I have valued the students I have taught over the years – some have remained friends. Recently one of my 1982 students came in to say goodbye; one of my 1980 girls, who is a partner in a Hong Kong law firm , emailed to say that we will catch up in early January when she is in Sydney; I see another 1980 student, who is an environmental lawyer, regularly. I had dinner a couple of months ago with some 2010 students.

  Students have seen me as being strict but fair, and I accept that this is a compliment. They know that I have a good sense of humour, and that I have told them interesting stories. They acknowledge that “I put much effort into what I did, and that I also taught them about life. “

 As a lover of animals, I have encouraged students to purchase an animal. I encouraged Morgan Whitby, Year 12 2010 to buy a King Charles Cavalier Spaniel from my breeder, Rhonda.  Morgan and I now exchange emails about our special dogs.

 I recall that in 1992, my then Year 12 Geography class bought me a budgie.It came as an Easter present, not a farewell to Year 12 present.  That budgie was named Thames, by the class, as we were studying water management in the River Thames at the time.  Thames chirped away madly for 11 years- perhaps like its owner, and was buried in my garden in April 2003.

  Melanie Stutsel, a vocal member of this 1992 class, was well known by teachers at this school, and possibly Kogarah Station staff. Melanie and I exchanged emails late last week. She told me that “she is more responsible now with 2 sons under 4.” She also said “take great pleasure in the fact that I studied Applied Physical Geography and Environmental Science.”

 In recent weeks, my students have recognized my work within the school with letters, cards, lovely gifts, lots of hugs and kind words as they passed in the corridor.  I have been acknowledged for my community work, since 2006, in the annual Whos Who of Australian Women. I now plan to work hard to become a respected writer.

 I wish now to pay tribute to my late parents in my life’s journey – my father gave me my political ancestry, which dates to the 1880’s in Victoria; my political skills and my love of horse racing history. My mother gave me the appreciation of the written word, as well as her appreciation of textiles and design. Seventeen years in local politics honed my experience with the written word- speeches, Council debates, Letters to the Editor and press releases.  Today, it is fitting that I make this speech – it is 9 years ago today, that my mother passed away.

 In conclusion, I will read a piece of advice that I gave Michelle Lee, one of my Year 12 students in 2008. This came to me in an email from Michelle on May 25 this year.

 “I actually remember the interview I underwent when I applied for the co-op program. The interviewer asked me about a piece of advice that I cherished and I recall quoting what you said to us in our last Legal Studies lesson in about  how in order for us to have new doors opened we must close the ones behind us. It was sad at the time, but it definitely gave me motivation to focus on uni and continue moving forward.”

 I have replied to Michelle that “I will be now following my own advice.”  

 I wish the school community well in the years ahead.

 I wish Pamela, my replacement, a very rewarding and successful career at St George Girls.