By Celestine Chisholm
FAY THOMAS
Educator
Melbourne school principal Fay Thomas.
2-8-1942 – 9-6-2015
Women were not encouraged to pursue careers in the 1950s but Cathie and Dorothy Thomas, defying the era, urged their niece, Fay Thomas, to continue her education. Three great aunts had been teachers – and a great uncle was a school inspector in Beechworth – so Fay was following her family heritage of educators when she herself decided to become a teacher.
After completing her secondary education at Reservoir High School, Fay was a first intake student, and then inaugural school captain at Reservoir High School. In 1959 Fay became a student teacher for six months and then entered teachers college graduating in 1961.
One of her first postings was to the country, to Avenel Primary School, where she met one of her great friends, Marie Conroy. This friendship lasted her lifetime with Fay relishing the time she spent with Marie, her husband Frank, their four children and grandchildren. Fay married John Griffin but the marriage ended in divorce. Her subequent partner, Frank Garlick, passed away in 2011.
Fay's outstanding leadership skills were recognised in the early 1980s when she took up her first principal appointment at the then Bundoora Primary School. In 1986 Fay became the principal of Ivanhoe East Primary School. This appointment meant she was one of the first primary women principals in Victoria appointed through a local selection process. A ground-breaking achievement.
Not content with the demands placed on being a teacher, principal and wife, Fay found time to complete two master's degrees – one from Deakin University and the other from The University of Melbourne. She spent a year in America on an International Teaching Fellowship and later gained a travel award, also to America, where she explored principal leadership programs. On both occasions she made friends who remained an ongoing part of her life.
Fay's next career move occurred when she became a regional principal consultant, which meant she was responsible for more than 45 schools alongside coordinating regional curriculum programs in the northern suburbs of Melbourne.
Fay was a big picture thinker and she enjoyed working on system-wide initiatives. Fay was a member of a number of Victorian Primary Principals Association (now Victorian Principals Association), regional and statewide education committees. A highlight was her work between 1993 and 1997 when she chaired the steering committee for the Cooperative Research Project: Leading Victorian Schools of the Future.
Project members included primary and secondary principals as well as representatives from The University of Melbourne. Fay relished the challenge of working with people of the calibre of Emeritus Professors Brian Caldwell and the late Hedley Beare on this ground breaking, longitudinal study. According to Professor Brian Caldwell: "Fay Thomas was an inspiring principal and educational leader and a valued guide and friend for many years."
Fay was the eldest daughter of Charles and Jean Thomas who lived in Whittlesea. Some of her fondest childhood memories were the times she enjoyed with her extended family, including aunts, uncles and cousins. Fay had a strong connection with her father's family, the Thomases, who were pioneers in the Mernda district. She loved her visits to Mayfield farm.
Retirement in 2000 did not mean that Fay ended her working career. Fay recognised the importance of culture and high expectations as a foundation of school improvement. She took up a role as a statewide reviewer and enjoyed challenging school and community personnel to understand data and develop improvement strategies.
In addition, she took up a role at the Education Department's Northern Metropolitan Regional Office as one of the state's first community liaison officers. Again, her wide knowledge of schools, education and people made her ideally suited to this position.
Outside of her work life, Fay will be remembered for her laughter, great love of celebrations, and her appreciation of the arts. Fay had interests in photography, cooking (including special Christmas treats), books, fine dining, attending the theatre and ballet, and playing golf. She created many treasured cards and gifts, including hand-knitted garments for friends.
Fay had a great interest in history and amassed an impressive collection of antiques, photos and memorabilia from the Thomas family. Fay loved talking about how her latest discoveries related to the past. Her collection has been gifted to a variety of cultural organisations, including the State Library of Victoria, and thus will be accessible for future generations.
Fay was a lady of great insight and wisdom who was a mentor to many. She had a gift of imparting confidence, courage and pride. The recession song at her funeral was Mame, which Fay chose herself. Mame was a high-living, party-loving lady who wore fabulous clothes. That was Fay Thomas.
Celestine Chisholm is a family friend