Two Narrabeen Sports High School Teachers, One Curl Curl PS Teacher Honoured for 50+ Years of public education
More than 2600 years of combined service in the NSW public education system was recognised when over fifty teachers and staff were honoured for their dedication to the profession at the third NSW Department of Education Service Recognition Dinner.
Held In December, the function at NSW Parliament House shone a light on some of the most committed and hard-working education staff in the state, with all those recognised having served a minimum 50 years working with our schools.
There were stories aplenty as teachers, school administrators and support staff were among those honoured with Premier Chris Minns, Acting Education Minister Courtney Houssos and NSW Department of Education Secretary Murat Dizdar there to mark the occasion.
Among the honoured attendees were two Teachers from Narrabeen Sports High School, Jeffrey Conroy and Robert (Bob) McClung and William Ballinger of Curl Curl Public School.
Narrabeen Sports High School stated this week;
‘’We are incredibly proud to celebrate our amazing TAS teacher, Mr McClung, who has recently received special recognition for his outstanding dedication after serving 50 years in the NSW Department of Education.
Mr McClung was one of 50 recipients honoured at the NSW Department of Education Service Recognition Dinner held at NSW Parliament House — a truly well-deserved acknowledgement of a remarkable career.
Beginning his teaching journey in 1974, Mr McClung has now dedicated over 51 years to education, specialising in Technology and inspiring generations of students along the way. He is a passionate advocate for public education and a much-loved member of our Narrabeen community.
Not only is Mr McClung a favourite with students, he is also known for his generosity, warmth, and sense of fun — including his love of sailing and the many times he has welcomed NSHS staff aboard his sailing boat after hours.
We feel privileged to work alongside such an exceptional educator. Congratulations, Mr McClung — we are so proud of you!’’
NSHS's other honouree, Jeffrey Conroy, earned a BA(Hons)/Dip.Ed, History, English, Philosophy in 1973 at Macquarie University. He commenced at Riverstone High School and was there for 8 years before moving to Pittwater High School in 1982, where he taught for the next decade. In February 1992 he 'went south' to Narrabeen Sports High School. Jeff has dedicated 52 years to the next generation.
It was a night with extra resonance for Ms Houssos and Mr Dizdar who both had former teachers recognised.
After inspiring students as a young History and English teacher at Maitland Girls High School in the mid-1970s, Veronica Amato moved to Forster High School where she would go on to mentor Ms Houssos.
Similarly, Marie Johanson taught Mr Dizdar in his formative years at Fort Street High School, remembering as a feisty and diligent student who would always put forward a case for extra marks.
“I became a teacher because I wanted to be just like Marie who was and still is exceptionally compassionate, caring, engaging and believes in the mantra that all students can grow and achieve,” Mr Dizdar said.
Ms Johanson is now at Mosman High School, and she was joined by her principal Dr Susan Wyatt, who has also racked up a half century in education.
For Kingscliff High School’s Alwyn Race, 50 years is almost rookie territory.
Incredibly, Mr Race has been working in NSW public schools since 1954 when he started as a cleaner at Murwillumbah, Tweed River, and Tumbulgum.
He is still working as a groundsman at Tumbulgum Public School and Kingscliff High School with typical efficiency, good humour and a willingness to help.
“People say, ‘why are you still working’. What are you going to do, sit at home and what TV,” Mr Race said.
“I love it. It keeps me fit.”
Mark Mathiesen came to Sydney from Chicago in 1974 as part of a targeted overseas recruitment initiative.
He started at Sylvania High School before eventually making his way down the coast to Corrimal High School in 1991 where he’d stay until 2019 before returning as a casual.
“I thought I’d have two years, and they’d send me back,” he said with a laugh.
“But I fell in love with it.
“The exceptional thing in my life has been the children that I’ve met and the success that I have seen.”
2025 Service Recognition recipients:
Veronica Amato Great Lakes College, Tuncurry Campus
William Ballinger Curl Curl North PS
Glen Bennett NSW School of Languages
Vivienne Bolam Forbes HS
Ronald (Ron) Bradford Epping Boys High School
Frances Brewer Concord West PS
Stephen Britt Waratah West PS
Katrina Burne Blacktown Boys HS
Sandra Callcott Glenhaven PS
Pamela Chamberlin Kemps Creek PS
Jeffrey Conroy Narrabeen Sports High School
Janice Cuke Sydney Secondary College Blackwattle Campus
Jeanette Detheridge Blacktown network
Susan Gardiner Sylvania High School
Christine Gudgeon Gulgong PS
Diane Hall Farrer Agricultural School
Anne Harrison Rydalmere East PS
Suzan Heavener Glenmore Road PS
Christine Hunter OAM Jerrabomberra Public School
Dr Kimberley Jaggar OAM Sydney Boys High School
Geoffrey James Randwick High School_
Marie Johanson & Dr Susan Wyatt Mosman High School
Lynne Kerry Roseville PS
Harry Kolatchew & Lorraine Scott Merewether High School
Elizabeth Lessells Bert Oldfield PS
Evelyn Mark Strathfield Girls High School (Language School)
Mark Mathiesen Kiama High School
Robert (Bob) McClung Narrabeen Sports High School
Karen McDonald Chatswood HS
Heather McGinty Ivanhoe Central School
Margaret McLelland Rose Bay Secondary College
Thomas Murphy Lucas Heights Community School
Michael Pett Parry School
Anthony Pigott Five Dock PS
Karen Plocki Sunshine Bay PS
Helen Rea Wilson Park School
Caroline Robson Fernhill School
Jeffrey Smith Wyndham College
Warrick Smith Chester Hill North PS
Margaret (Lil) South Bulli High School
George Stamell South Sydney High School
Beverley Sweeney Crestwood PS
Janne Thompson Caringbah HS
Susanne Towner Windsor South PS
Sandra Tuck Dapto High School
Narelle Vazquez Northmead capahs
Denise Walker Wauchope High School
Maureen Wrigglesworth Kemblawarra PS
Jack Zawerucha Homebush PS