Marie Bashir (third from left) presented Jim Harkin, Edna McGill and Professor Tony Vinson with awards for meritorious service to public education.

Vinson receives merit for contribution

By Kerri Carr

Professor Tony Vinson is among the recipients of the State Government's inaugural award for meritorious service to public education.

NSW Governor Dr Marie Bashir presented the awards to Professor Vinson, Jim Harkin and Edna McGill on January 28.

Mr Harkin, now retired, had a 35 year career in teaching, starting as a classroom teacher, then becoming a principal. He played a significant role in the Secondary Principals Council and had a specific interest in multicultural education.

Parent Edna McGill has more than 40 years of association with public education through the Federation of Parents and Citizens Association, working on curriculum committees and contributing to multicultural, indigenous and anti racism programs.

Federation President Maree O'Halloran said Professor Vinson was jointly nominated for the award by the Parents & Citizens Association and the Teachers Federation for his magnificent work conducting the Independent Inquiry into the Provision of Public Education in NSW.

"The Inquiry's report provides a blueprint for enhancing the future of public education in this state," she said.

"In the lead-up to the 2003 State Election, the Premier credited the Vinson Inquiry and the Public Education Alliance of parents, teachers and principals for convincing him of the merit of smaller class sizes for kindergarten to year 2 students."

"We call on the State Government to continue to implement the findings of the Vinson Report, particularly in relation to increased funding for public education as a proportion of the state budget."

Immense faith

NSW Governor Dr Marie Bashir said public education was an aspect of "Australian heritage that must never be diminished".

She said public education educates to the highest standards regardless of the ability to pay.

"We should all be militant about that one," she said.

Dr Bashir was educated in public schools.

"Because of my rich educational experience I have immense faith in public education."
Education Minister Dr Andrew Refshauge said: "The values that we see that are public education were clear in the history of the recipients -- fairness, trust, mutual respect and tolerance."
"These are the values that we teach in schools," he said.

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