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I'm Gordon Stewart Watson, PHS 1949-1953; represented PHS in
swimming, athletics, water-polo, rugby-union; Prefect and Leaving
Certificate 1953; a Commonwealth Scholarship and on to rugby-union at UNSW
and a BE(Hons) in 1959; then marriage to Judith Peters (Cessnock High),
eight children, a modest career (with much world travel and several
innovations); now semi-retired on the mid-North coast of NSW (writing my
memoirs). My PHS reputation is probably tarnished by my being an inaugural winner of The Vice-Chancellor's Award for Teaching Excellence at Southern Cross University in 1995. Maybe extensive experience as a 'young/lazy' student helped me to teach creatively. Initiated joint curriculum development between University and the Department of School Education at the Coffs Harbour Education Campus (believed to be an Australian first) to accelerate students through university. Also initiated Memorandum of Understanding between Southern Cross University and the Australian Quality Council (the peak organisation for quality in Australia); believed to be a world-first. Career: Teaching Fellow, UNSW 1959; Senior Development Engineer, S Smith & Sons (later Smiths Industries) 1960-1963; Managing Director, The Torrington Manufacturing Company (Australia) 1964-1980; Odyssey House 1981-1982 (State Director); We Help Ourselves 1982-1989 (Chief Executive); Business consultant 1990-1994; Lecturer, University of New England and Southern Cross University 1992-1997. Education: Granville Public 1942-1948; PHS 1949-1953; UNSW 1954-1959. Fondest memories: Fond memories of many very talented and decent people from those days. Beverly, Carole, Doreen, Jan, Lorraine, Margaret, Marie, Nola, Valda, Yvonne, and many more; enough for now. Oh, and beating Canberra High (14-0) at rugby union on their home ground in driving freezing sleet! |
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