Colin Cleary
Profile
Name: Colin Cleary
Age: 69
Date of birth: 23/02/1937
Place of birth: Mildura
Abode: Epsom
Family: Wife Jane, son David, daughter Lucy, grand children Tessa, Hugh, Dawson and Jenna
Interests/ hobbies: Politics, history, poetry
Sport: cricket, football, tennis, race walking.
Current occupation: A student.
Years at Epsom Primary school: 1980 till 1982
Achievements: Team teaching, twilight cricket and school houses.
What I have done over the years: Started teaching in 1960 and taught in Victorian country schools, taught in England 1969 and 1992. Studied at La Trobe University - studied Indonesian, history, politics, sociology, linguistics, ESL teaching.
Interview by Ellie and Lara
Highlights of the interview
My name is Colin Clearly and I was a principal at Epsom Primary School from 1980 till 1982. While I was principal we had a centenary in 1981 and at that time there were 110 children.
All of the buildings have completely changed, and I’m surprised that in 26 years all those trees along the play equipment area have grown so much because we planted them and I used to water them in the summer. I never thought they would ever grow, but well, they are beautiful, tall and healthy trees. Also there was this sugar gum tree that the kids use to shake to get sugar off it, but unfortunately they had to cut it down and when I came here there are still the remains.
Mrs Brown taught grade 3/4, Miss Nation taught prep, Miss Fraser taught grade 1/2 and I taught grade 5/6 as well as 3/4 for maths. Mrs Daykin came here just before I left. We had a lot of team teaching here. When my kids went to secondary college I taught at North Bendigo Primary School. In 1979 I bought a house in Epsom and that’s when there became a vacancy at Epsom Primary School. When I applied for Epsom Primary School I had three very great years.
Colin Cleary 2006 Colin Cleary 1981
