north east regional extra | December 16 - 22, 2020
nemedia.com.au
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December 16 - 22, 2020
By CORAL COOKSLEY
Sowing seeds for generations to come
THERE’S more to the ‘Green Thumbs of Wooragee’ long time volunteer gardener, Owen Gemmill, than meets the eye. The 90-year-old is behind the success of many wins and accolades for Wooragee Primary School’s award-winning sustainability garden programs including the Stephanie Alexander Kitchen. Owen’s working life began as a French polisher before he switched to a teaching career which spanned close to three decades before his retirement. “After several years of French polishing I went back to school to gain further qualifications and undertook an art and design diploma at the Royal Melbourne Technical College, affectionately known in those days as ‘Melbourne Tech’,” Owen said. A two year stint in industry as part of a student teacher’s certificate training program to gain practical experience, Owen worked at GTV 9 using his art and design skills before heading to teachers’ training college for 12 months. “At GTV 9 I was a modeller making three-dimensional props and scenery for stage shows and films,” he said. For Owen, teaching was a step in the right direction and for the next 29 years he taught at technical colleges in Victoria before the education providers evolved into TAFE, and he found himself in the state’s North East. “In those days, year six students had a choice of going to a technical school or a high school,” he said. “I taught art and design subjects, and for 20 out of those 29 years, I was a department head. “I have a passion for seeing students thrive and I loved being in the classroom, watching students develop and grow - I regard teaching as sowing seeds. “It’s when you meet students later on in life as adults that you can measure success in what you taught them and how they have progressed in their own fields.”
◆ GREEN THUMB: Wooragee’s Owen Gemmill loves teaching youngsters about planting, growing and harvesting food and tending gardens. PHOTO: Coral Cooksley
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