Life Members

Margaret Gambley worked tirelessly in the early 1970’s to have the Department of Education establish the position of Careers Adviser in NSW schools, and was fundamental in having this position created. Margaret is also regarded as the architect of CAA, and was responsible for the creation of our Association in 1973. Her contribution to the development of CAA was continuous and enthusiastic over the next 30 years. In her retirement Margaret continues to support both Careers Advisers and our Association. Margaret has not missed one Conference since the Association was established, and in retirement, continued to come to every conference dinner.

Sue Sundstrom became a Careers Adviser in 1986, retraining the same year through the Department of Education Retraining Course. Sue completed a Bachelor of Arts and Diploma of Education at the University of NSW. She joined the CAA Executive in 1992, and was President from 2009.

Sue has been on the Executive Committee for 24 years, and she was President from 2009 until 2017. Sue has been one of CAA’s quiet achievers. She works hard to ensure Careers Advisers and our concerns are heard while also working full time as Careers Adviser and VET Co-Ordinator at Picton High School, all without us being aware of the hours she puts in. Sue has worked continuously behind the scenes to champion the cause of Careers Advisers in schools with relevant parties at both the State and Federal levels of government, while getting on with her own role. Sue also represented CAA over many years at the Professional Teachers Council and liaised with the Careers Industry Council of Australia as they worked to develop our industry Standards. Her attention to detail with issues that arise is commendable.  She shows a compassion for individuals that expresses an exceptional understanding of the bigger picture both for her students and the members of the CAA.  Her extensive experience and knowledge has been an asset to the CAA as we have grappled with the numerous challenges that the governments put up as they have looked to evolve and develop the Education system both at State and Federal levels over the years. Sue has worked tirelessly in her various roles on the Executive and in 2009 reluctantly took on the role of President, but in her own low key way, has worked with the Executive to grow and strengthen our membership and relevance and presence in the Education system to ensure that we continue the original purpose for which this Association was established. She has attended countless numbers of meetings with Government Ministers, and been fundamental in the organisation of professional development days and Conference for 22 years.

From its inception, the Careers Advisers Association was committed to providing support for all Careers Advisers and students irrespective of their school sector or location. This fundamental principle was embedded in the Constitution through the appointment to Executive of two Vice-Presidents, with one position representing Government Schools, the other, Non-Government Schools. This was done with the specific intentions of encouraging an inclusive and cooperative approach to all Association activities. The first person elected to the position of Vice President, Non-Government Schools was Judy Stinson, the Careers Adviser at Bethlehem College, Ashfield.

Whilst Judy was Vice President, her strong representations ensured that the needs of Careers Advisers in Non-Government schools were addressed in all Association policy deliberations.

Then as now, the disparate nature of the Non-Government school sector made Judy's role an incredibly challenging one, a role she prosecuted with great forcefulness and enthusiasm. For many years, she was a member of the Annual Conference planning committee where her Liberal Party connections proved invaluable in identifying potential keynote speakers and workshop presenters. Indeed, her deeply held conservative values and opinions meant that Association meetings could never be described as dreary!

In 1979, Judy moved to Saint Agnes Catholic High School, Rooty Hill and then to Tara Anglican School for Girls, until her retirement.

At the personal level, Judy had a lifelong passion for classical music and also served in the Australian Army Nursing Corps.

One of the challenges facing Careers Advisers in their efforts to establish a new professional Association was the need to understand the intricacies of a bureaucracy such as the Department of Education. At this time, Alf Hinshaw, as Principal Guidance Officer, was responsible for overseeing State-wide counselling and careers advising services in NSW Government schools.

While school counselling was well established with formal training qualifications and specific appointments, Alf was very conscious of the inadequacy of the tokenistic approach of the Department to careers advising. At the time, the position in schools was allocated on an ad hoc basis to a male and a female teacher with a period allowance of 3-6 periods a week, depending on student numbers in year 8. There was no formal training.

At one stage, Alf shocked his professional colleagues by writing a parable "the Careers Adviser and the Dunny" to illustrate the inadequacy of the existing system (cistern?). Words can only go so far and in spite of his advocacy, nothing changed, except that in some schools the role became unisex.

Having seen the effect a professional association had had on the development of school counselling, Alf actively supported the grass root initiatives (1974-1975) to establish a Careers Advisers Association which could speak with an official voice and represent Careers Advisers within the system.

Once the Association was established, Alf provided strategic advice and guidance to Executive members on their campaign to establish a trained full-time Careers Adviser in every high school. The breakthrough came in 1977-1978, when the Department offered surplus social science teachers the opportunity to retrain as Careers Advisers. Without Alf's" behind the scene" support, such a successful outcome might not have been achieved.

Alf continued to contribute to the ongoing development of Careers Advisers through his involvement in the retraining program and regional in-service activities. He also participated in an evaluation of Career Education initiatives in the Western Region.

In responding to a request to contribute to the 2001 CAA annual conference, Alf wrote, in retirement, of his fond memories of " the impact the Association had had, through brilliant submissions and industrial action, on the Director- General and Minister in endeavouring to change the structure of Careers Advising from a part-time job of limited value to students, to one which involved full-time professionals, career education and work experience". He went on to give his congratulations on what the Association had achieved and to remind members that their work continued to be invaluable to the youth of the day.

As the foundation President of the Careers Advisers Association, Jo Howard has left behind a legacy which cannot be overestimated.  She played a critical role in the grass roots movement that led to the formal establishment of the Association in June 1975.

The following year, having set the wheels in motion, Jo decided to step aside to allow a new President, Angela Glover, to become the driving force for improved professionalism.

Jo remained on the Executive as Communications Officer, where in 1976 she produced the first association Journal, subsequently known as ‘Prospects’ She identified communication with members as being critical for the success of the Association and encouraged the free exchange of careers ideas and teaching strategies through newsletters and reports.

Jo also holds a unique place in the history of the association as the pioneer of work experience programs in NSW secondary schools. While she was Careers Adviser at Northmead High School in 1973, she heard about a pilot program in which students with special needs were given opportunities to spend time in the workplace. Realising the potential of such a scheme for secondary school students, Jo set about challenging the workplace laws and conventions operating at that time,  by starting her own program.

Not surprisingly, her radical proposal met with a strong resistance from a number of different sources. "What about issues such as exploitation, safety and worker’s compensation?";  Jo was asked, to say nothing of the concerns of other teachers about the disruption it would cause to school routine. However, the opponents were unable to match Jo's tenacity and networking skills. The ‘Northmead Program’ was a success and in 1976, following an Interdepartmental Review, guidelines were approved for the operation of work experience in all secondary schools.

In 1978, Jo joined the Careers Section in the Department which gave her greater freedom and the opportunity to share her knowledge and experience with other Careers Advisers across the State.

The move to appoint full-time Careers Advisers led the Department to establish the first formal training courses, initially restricted to surplus social science teachers.  Jo played a key role in the development of the training program and presented many sessions. In particular, she focused on the place of Career Education in the Curriculum in meeting the special needs of all students.

Many will remember the case study she developed with Beverley Bowyer on the fictional ‘Unslow High School.’

When she retired from the Department, Jo's pioneering  spirit took her to China where she taught English for many years while providing her students with a liberal dose of careers assistance. A Careers Adviser to the very end!

While there was widespread dissatisfaction with the nature of Careers Advising in the 1970s, good will and enthusiasm were not in themselves sufficient to satisfy students' needs. What was required was a major change in philosophy and practice.

In one of the many "happenstances" that characterised careers  at that time, Dr Keith  Underwood from the Student Counselling and Research Unit ( S.C.R.U) at the University of New South Wales had identified the career decision making process as an area of special interest. His research involved a detailed analysis of the latest approaches to vocational development in both the U.K and the U.S.A. Thus he was able to draw on the best of these overseas findings and to blend them into a vocational development framework suitable for the Australian school setting.

His timing could have not been better. As he was seeking opportunities to trial his ideas, Careers Advisers (and the Department) were struggling to find a new way forward. In fact it was Keith's body of work that provided the philosophical and practical underpinning of the careers retraining program as well as their rationale for the enhanced role of the Careers Adviser.

Keith's specialist knowledge and expertise meant he was greatly in demand as a presenter at all the Retraining programs and as a keynote speaker at in-service courses across New South Wales. He gave generously of his time and resources, producing several booklets to assist career advisers develop their programs. These publications were printed by the Department and distributed free of charge to all secondary schools

Titles Included:

• Career Education: Explanatory Notes for a course based upon the Vocational Development Framework 1977;
• Career Planning Activities for the Junior School 1977;
• Career Planning Activities in the Exploratory Stage of Vocational Development 1978;
• Vocational Development Activities for Secondary Students with a Language Handicap 1981.

In spite of his academic qualifications, Keith remained a modest and self-effacing person with a wicked sense of humour. He took great delight in the acronym of his place of work ( S.C.R.U ), a rather risqué undergraduate term in the 70s.

For Careers Advisers in  New South Wales, Dr Keith Underwood was indeed the right man, with the right message at the right time.

Lyn Camp was the face and the voice of the CAA Executive since the early 2000’s through to 2011. She has grown the membership significantly and the association has gone from strength to strength as Lyn with her Careers background, was able to solve every problem and offer lots of advice. Her excellent organisational and people management skills have meant the association has run smoothly and organisations queue to provide sponsorship and purchase exhibition space at every annual conference. 

Life Membership of CAA was awarded to Lirria Larimore for her service to the Association over more than 20 years. Liri has filled just about every role on the Executive Committee during that time and has been a valued member of CAA. She has dedicated her time and efforts over such a long period of time to the advancement of Careers Advisers in schools and the growth of CAA. On behalf of the CAA Executive and all CAA members, we thank Liri for her service to colleagues, the Association and the profession.

Jenine came to the teaching profession in 1998 after completing her Graduate Diploma of Education and commenced as a Careers Adviser in 2000 at  Marist Sisters’ College, Woolwich, adding to her roles of VET Co-ordinator and teacher. She completed her Master of Education (Career Development) in  2007.  In 2017 she moved to the part-time role of Assistant Careers Adviser and VET Co-Ordinator at Rosebank College until her retirement. Jenine  worked passionately with her students to successfully achieve relevant post-school outcomes. She is a firm believer that there is a career opportunity for  everyone and worked to help students understand that and to make the connection between their abilities and the job market. “Everybody can learn, we  just have to remember that not everyone learns in the same way”.  Her objective is to help students recognise the way in which they learn best. 

Having been on the CAA NSW & ACT Executive since 2011, Jenine has undertaken the roles of Communications Officer, Secretary and became President of CAA in October 2017. As President, she continues to raise the profile of the Careers Adviser in a school. Her ongoing focus is educating governments,  industries and the education sector on how our role in schools is integral to value-adding for students’ success in completing their schooling and following through to post-school learning and training relevant to their skills, interests and abilities. She has worked with members and the Executive Committee to  develop and grow opportunities for our members and to support them in gaining knowledge and expertise for Career Development Education. 

 Jenine actively and professionally represents the CAA:

• At government, educational and industry-based meetings and events, build relationships that assist members to connect with relevant industry, government and educational organisations for the benefit of their students’ decisions on post-school pathway options.
• To create ongoing connections to build relevant resources for members to use with their students to develop knowledge and skills either in the classroom, with other teachers and their relevant curriculum, or individually.
• Through her involvement in numerous committees, reviews and consultations, and being proactive with relevant submissions and responses to reports, providing the perspective of a Careers Adviser in a school.
• By informing on how much the value of a school-based Career Adviser, and their knowledge and expertise, contribute to the effective educational outcomes of students in our schools.
• In working with Careers Advisers to support them in their school-based role and advocating for stronger recognition of the Careers Adviser role in schools across the three school sectors.

Glenys served on the CAA Executive Committee from 2014 to 2018 as the Association’s Treasurer and contributed enthusiastically to all aspects and responsibilities of being a member of the CAA Executive. She was the person who piloted electronic meetings for the Association which allowed better  access for regional and remote area members to be involved with the CAA Executive Committee. Glenys represented CAA at various functions and  activities during her time on the Committee.

Glenys is an advocate for regional area members and continues to ensure our members in regional areas are supported in their roles as Careers Advisers.

Glenys has been a respected and valued member of the local Careers Advisers network where she has held a range of roles over many years. As Leader of Network, she always provided a great agenda of PD opportunities. Always been making sure the Network has been well supported with wonderful  leadership. Extremely supportive of all her colleagues in times of challenges and for friendship.

Glenys has been a mentor and support for colleagues across the state, especially those in the Far North Coast (Tweed/Byron) network and across all  educational sectors. She is very inspirational towards those she mentors. In recent times she has mentored younger CAs in Kingscliff, Murwillumbah, Wollumbin and looks after trainee CAs such as Alex at Murwillumbah who Glenys has said she has learnt from as well.

At Murwillumbah High School, not only has she been the Careers Adviser but has also filled in as Deputy Principal as well as being Head teacher of Admin and CAPA. She motivated the school to be involved with the EPPP program and embraced it enthusiastically, convincing the Principal of its importance to the students and gained many more options for the students. This is what Glenys is all about, giving the students more opportunities to succeed. Glenys developed the concept of an online Work Studies course to help her students under threat of disengaging. It was so effective that it has been taken up by the Department and now used across NSW. Glenda O’Brien asked Glenys to work with her on Glenys’ original concept so the Department could offer the online course statewide.  It has become a 120-hour course on google classrooms that helps bring the HSC back into reality for those students becoming disengaged from their learning. Helping them to reconnect and succeed in their education.

All about the kids and getting the best for them. Will exhaust all options. In my mind a person who will ‘Never give up, never surrender.’  She sees the relevance of lifelong learning and is constantly evolving knowledge to the benefit of the students.  Always looking how to ensure students succeed beyond the school gate. Her Curriculum knowledge is encyclopaedic, and she always has impressive insight and breadth of knowledge.  Nothing stops her from facing a challenge. 

There are numerous descriptors that people have used to describe Glenys.  A very fair person, with a quick wit and a wicked sense of humour that helps us all to keep things in perspective.  She is greatly valued and appreciated by all, with great communication skills and the ability to think on her feet and knows what to say at the right time. A wonderful and giving person who is kind, caring and compassionate.  Nothing is ever too much trouble.  Glenys is very collegial but also has the ability to tell people what she thinks, in a very nice way. Glenys is a true quite achiever and very worthy recipient of this Life Membership Award.

Mike Geeves has been President of the Careers Advisers Association of NSW since 2000. Under his leadership, the membership of the Association has more than doubled, and the profile of the Association has increased enormously. Mike has the respect of CAANSW members, and also the wider community. He is frequently called on by education authorities and government bodies to advise and explain issues related to Career Education. Mike represented the CAANSW at CICA (Career Industry Council of Australia) and was President of this national peak industry body. Mike’s involvement with CICA ensured that issues relevant to NSW Careers Advisers were considered on the Career Education national agenda. As a representative of CAANSW, Mike sat on many committees, and has been able to advance the cause of the importance of Career Education. Despite his tremendous commitment to these initiatives, Mike was always available to our members. His dedication and commitment to Career Education and Careers Advisers is unsurpassed. Mike is a worthy recipient of Life Membership of CAANSW.

John Kay has been a member of the CAANSW for over 20 years. Since the early 1990s, he a co-opted member of the executive committee. His commitment to Career Education is outstanding, as is his dedication to the ideal of continuing professional development for Careers Advisers. 

John represented the CAANSW on many committees, including North West Business Education Network, and Australian Training Officers Association. John has been an active participant in, and provided significant leadership of, the Northern Sydney Network of CAANSW members and friends. He has contributed to this network’s growth to become one of the strongest Careers Advisers networks in NSW.

For many years John was venue co-ordinator for CAANSW Annual Conferences, and he continues to offer advice and support to those presently in the role. The CAANSW Executive Committee rely on John’s counsel to further develop the Association. His insight into Career Education issues is outstanding, and his willingness to share his knowledge and experience ensure that he is a worthy recipient of life membership of CAANSW.

Beverley can be best described as a person who's special qualities are epitomised by three things:

• An enormous capacity for hard work;
• A sensitivity and compassion for the needs and feelings of others;
• A strong commitment to causes and principles.

Beverley spent much of her life in country areas of NSW. She undertook her teacher training at Bathurst Teachers College and was first appointed to Lithgow as an English/History teacher. She later returned to Bathurst and taught for a number of years at Bathurst High School. Beverley's capacity for hard work was obvious during her years in Bathurst. She was a key figure in the Bathurst community. She was one of the founding members of the Bathurst branch of the Business and Professional Women's Association and a member of the Women's Electoral Lobby. In educational endeavours, Beverley also maintained a high profile in Bathurst. She was the Mistress-In-Charge-of-Girls at Bathurst High in which capacity she acted as a "surrogate mum" for many students. Beverley’s involvement in Career Education commenced while she was at Bathurst High. She was the Careers Adviser for girls during the time when a small number of periods were allocated to one male and one female teacher for Careers Advising, based on the year 8 enrolment. In that capacity, Beverley took students to the Career Exploration and Recreation Camps at Narrabeen Sport and Recreation Centre on a number of occasions.

In 1974, after the election of the Whitlam Government, Commonwealth money became available for in-service activities. Beverley, with the help of John Cobby, quickly seized the opportunity provided by this money to propose a regional in-service activity for Careers Advisers in the Western Region. Margaret Gambley attended this two day activity and as a result of this in- service, enthusiasm and support for Career Education in the region mushroomed. 

In 1976, Beverley moved to Sydney. She accepted an appointment as an English/History teacher at the Forest High School and, within the year, was again given the part-time responsibility for Careers Advising. 

1978 saw the appointment of full-time Career Advisers to schools on the condition that the staff taking up the appointments were social science trained. Laurie Woods who was the Principal of the Forest High, wrote to the Department of Education on numerous occasions telling them that unless he could have Beverley Bowyer as his Careers Adviser, he didn't want one. Beverley and Laurie finally beat the Department and Beverley undertook the retraining course and was appointed as full-time Careers Adviser in 1979. As Careers Adviser at the Forest High School, Beverley was instrumental in establishing the Manly Warringah Careers Market and Link Courses with Brookvale and Seaforth Colleges of TAFE. She worked diligently in establishing contact with the Business Community in the French's Forest area and was the recipient of a Pride of Workmanship Award from French's Forest Rotary Club. Within a short time of her involvement with Careers Advising at the Forest High School, Beverley found herself elected as President of the North Sydney Careers Advisers Association. As Regional President, Beverley was diligent in her attendance at state executive meetings. She became heavily involved in the organisation of the annual conference and provided Graham MacKenzie with tremendous professional support during the difficult period when he was the President of the association and coping with illness. Beverley took over many of Graham's responsibilities at the annual conference in 1979 and was elected as the President of the association. She remained in that position until 1963. In early 1980, Beverley was appointed as the Careers Consultant in the North Sydney Region. Beverley established a reputation for Careers Advisers as dedicated professionals who had the respect of Principals and the Inspectorate. She lobbied constantly for in-service activities, for relief days for projects of regional significance, such as a handbook for school leavers and virtually single-handedly dealt with all aspects of work experience. She was a constant source of support for all Careers Advisers in the region. As Lyn Christie once said, "Whenever you ring Bev, no matter what time or with what problem, she makes you feel as if she has just been waiting for you to call and make her day."

Beverley's contribution to this association has been immense. During her period as President, she acted deliberately to enhance the status of Careers Advisers. She promoted the work of Careers Advisers in the public and educational areas. She steered the association through the early days of Transition Education, establishing a clear policy on the relationship between it and Career Education. She attended to all details of every task with professionalism, thoroughness and a sense of purpose.

The positive public image that Beverley achieved for Careers Advisers was clear when she was nominated by the then Director General, Mr Swan, as one of two departmental employees to be seconded to the Premier's Department. Unfortunately for the Education Department, Beverley's special qualities have also been recognised by the Premier's Department. Respect for Beverley stems from her special qualities and from her philosophy of life that "one has a responsibility to ensure that there are always younger people prepared to take over from you". Beverley acted as a role model for many people by virtue of her warmth, humanity and integrity. The main priority for Beverley is always meeting the needs of people. Commitment to this ideal is critical in an area such as Career Education where the purpose of our working lives is to encourage and support young people in their career decision-making.