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Born in Sydney, Joan (known most often as Jo) was
educated in various places - Kempsey, Penrith, Port Augusta and Adelaide
- before studying for a B Arts and Dip T (Sec) at the University of
Adelaide. There followed three years of teaching at Port Pirie High
School followed by a return to NSW in 1970 to marry Lindsay and teach at
Coonabarabran High School.
She has taught there ever since, apart from breaks to raise their two
daughters, Kellie and Elizabeth who have both also become teachers. Jo
retired as Head Teacher of English/History at the end of 2001, but
returned to the school in 2003 as part-time librarian. She continues to
enjoy her work with teenagers, concentrating especially on supporting
senior students as they deal with the pressures of preparing for the
Higher School Certificate.
Jo was introduced to Rotary through the Group Study Exchange Program as
she was selected as a team member to Pennsylvania in 1994. Subsequently,
Lindsay joined the Rotary Club of Coonabarabran in 1995, and Jo actively
supported his involvement. He was President in 1997-98, and went on to
hold various District positions (Club Service Chair, GSE Chair,
Assistant Governor, ARH Chair). He led the District’s GSE team to
Washington, Idaho and British Columbia in 2000.
Jo joined the Rotary Club of Coonabarabran in 2002 and is proud of being
the club’s first female member. She has held various club positions -
Secretary, Youth Director, Bulletin editor and President in the
Centenary year 2004-5. She established and is the co-coordinator of the
club’s RYSTARS Program for young people interested in astronomy. In
2008-09, Jo was on the District Friendship Exchange Committee and was
the District Club Service Chair. She led the GSE team in 2007 to
Minnesota and Wisconsin, an opportunity to pass on wonderful experiences
she had so appreciated thirteen years before to another team of young
professionals. Particularly interested in education and training, Jo has
acquired accreditation as a presenter in the Rotary Leadership Institute
and the ClubVision Facilitation Program.
Jo and Lindsay live 30 kilometres east of Coonabarabran in the
Purlewaugh district where Lindsay works a cattle and cropping property
in partnership with his brother. Apart from their involvement with
Rotary, they love to spend time with their daughters who live in Bunbury,
WA (difficult!) and Sydney (easier) and of course with their young
grandson whenever possible.
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