Jim Gillies recognised by the Victorian Department of Education for a 40 year teaching career, all of which has been served in Yarrawonga.
Much-loved teacher, Jim Gillies this year notched up a remarkable 40-year milestone spending four decades teaching at the Yarrawonga Secondary College, now the P-12 college.
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Jim is still innovating and motivating students, and Jared Loughnan recently had the pleasure of catching up with him for a coffee and a chat to reflect on this impressive milestone.
Jared Loughnan (JL) - Wow, 40 years, Jim; congratulations. How did your passion for teaching begin?
Jim Gillies (JG) From an early stage, I loved sports and teaching kids. My sporting passion was tennis. At the end of Year 12, I had three bank jobs lined up. I was catching a train into Melbourne for my first interview and I couldn’t do it. I got off at the next station, walked home, and my mum and dad said they would back me if I wanted to go to university. To fund my university education, I took on various roles: assistant tennis coach, 'Life. Be in it.' promoter, tutor at a foster home, community camp leader, and swimming instructor.
JL- How did you end up in Yarrawonga?
JG - When I graduated, you applied for regions. Jobs were competitive. My reasoning was that I would try country as it would be easier to get a job, and I had a taste for country life, spending most of school holidays at my sister and brother-in-law's farm in Sale. I knocked back a couple of offers and then recruitment got serious, Yarrawonga High or Hamilton Tech. I rang my three best mates, and we decided on Yarrawonga. None of us had been there, but it was on the Murray and had a good tennis tournament.
A young Jim Gillies in the early teaching days at Yarrawonga Secondary College.
JL - What are some of the more challenging/rewarding roles and projects?
JG - I decided if I was going to stay in the one school and community, I needed to challenge myself. I’ve always tried to have a new goal or challenge every year. I have had several leading teacher jobs. I’m proud of completing my master’s in educational leadership with Melbourne University, obtaining a high distinction in every unit, while still working full-time. It helped shape me as a better teacher and leader.
JL – What are some of the more profound moments/challenges of your career… and what drives you?
JG - Every student has a story. There is no such thing as a bad student, just circumstances that need to be understood. I love the inclusively of state education; empathy and tolerance are key themes of our college culture. My mantra is: “Who can I help today?” The thing that gets me out of bed is being innovative when creating learning tasks for kids.
JL - Has there been a standout event/milestone or occasion in your time at P-12?
JG - Being selected for a Rotary Group Study Exchange for six weeks in South Korea was an honour and a privilege, as was being a member of the inaugural college Kokoda Team.
JL - There would have been many funny moments; what are one or two that stand out?
JG - The kids and staff make me laugh every day; how lucky am I to work with young people? But I came up to Yarrawonga to check out the school a week before I started. The college was open, and I noticed a worker in overalls in the grounds. I walked around the school and found the principal’s office, sat in the principal’s chair and put my feet up on the desk, joking to my friend who was with me. “This will be my office”, we were joined by the man whom I had noticed earlier. I said, “you must be the gardener”. He replied with a wry grin, “no, I’m the principal”.
JL - What was the best excuse you have heard from a student?
JG - I have definitely had “the dog ate my homework” excuse. It’s morphed to ‘my work didn’t save’, or ‘my computer crashed’. I laugh when a kid says they were away for the weekend, and you have seen them playing footy.
JL - What has changed the most in teaching in the last four decades?
JG - The teachers I work with now are the most professional and dedicated I have ever worked with. The kids haven’t changed, but society has, and this is where the challenge lies. The pressures on families are immense. I want to reassure parents that it will all work out. Just be there for them and love them unconditionally. I have never met a parent who doesn’t wish the best for their kids. I’m a big believer in letting kids be kids. I am confident that this generation of students will have the skills and knowledge to problem solve our future world.
JL - What drives you to make such an impact on your community?
JG - There are so many great contributors to our community, and I love playing my part. It has been my pleasure to help others. In teaching and life, you can get back so much through giving. I have been blessed working with footy clubs, the tennis club the Yarrawonga Mulwala Basketball Association. Whatever you put in, you get back tenfold.
JL – What’s next for Jim Gillies?
JG - Volunteering is definitely one thing, but I'd love to own a fast racehorse. I want to turn my backyard into a garden. I love the arts. I'd like to try a new hobby. I think I'll join the Men's Shed. Enjoy some travel with Trace (Jim’s wife) and spend more time with family and friends.
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