Judy Nicholls is a local treasure

SCHOOLS can often be taken for granted and it is only when they disappear that the realisation of how essential to a town, shire and region that they are, is realised. It is not the physical building that creates a centre to the community, it is the people who fill that building that make schools a unique link to all aspects of the community. Rural communities depend on their schools to serve many functions beyond their primary mission of educating children. Teacher Judy Nicholls, is one such person who has been not only been part of the Euroa Secondary College for over 20 years, but was born and bred in Euroa and, according to her, "would live and work nowhere else". Judy smiles and quietly says: “Euroa is small, and it is an easy-going place to live, it is my home.” For over 20 years Judy, a teaching and learning leader, and senior science and maths teacher at Euroa Secondary College, has taught (in some cases) two generations of Euroa students. Judy is also a former student of Euroa Secondary College (though back then the school was known as Euroa High School). When asked if she had seen any changes over the years, she recalls: “There is an amazing difference from when I was here, and the way the school looks today." "It was a concrete jungle back in my time with bitumen everywhere, basketball courts, old buildings, and no green areas," she said. "Today there are gardens, grass and trees, and it is so much more inviting.” According to Judy, what has not changed are the students: they might believe they are so different from the past students, but they aren’t. “Kids still find it challenging especially when dealing with change, and as a teacher they still need to test you, to see if you are staying," she said. "It is only when you continue to be a major part of their lives, then they will trust you," she said. "It was the same when I was a student.” Judy’s answer for why she has stayed at Euroa Secondary College was: “It is the staff, they are great, we all work together, and this has helped to keep me going these past 22 years as a teacher.” Judy recalls coming back to Euroa to teach after studying, and teaching at Ararat and Seymour and having a family. “When I started teaching, the students were wary until they realised that not only was I from Euroa, but I also knew their parents and possibly taught them,” she laughs. “It feels as if I just turned around and 20 years has gone. "It has been a busy time and the pressure of change and dealing with year 12 student demands have all constituted to the quick passage of time.” Today, Judy observes, the kids need to learn so much more, and they no longer need to remember everything as we did, technology has taken care of that. Judy questions that the use of technology could possibly be better for students as it has relieved some of the pressures. When it comes to tertiary education Judy feels that some students don’t want to go to university, and that there are a range of career options for them to follow and that they can start work and, if they feel the need, they can follow-up with further study later. “The benefits of university for the students can be socialisation and the broadening of their minds which can be a real advantage for their future,” Judy said. “It can be confronting at first, but during orientation week the people they meet can be lifelong friends.” Then there are those students who are not comfortable moving away from home and prefer to stay and follow the other career options. While they are at school the college provides access to a team of staff and courses specifically to help students find out what employment they may like to follow with further education, apprenticeships and other connections. Judy was born in Euroa, part of the Halsall and Mackrell families who have been in the region since the 19th century. Her schooling commenced at Euroa kindergarten and then onto Euroa Primary School. She attended Euroa High School continuing on to Bendigo University where she studied science and maths and then teaching. “I had no interest in going to uni in the city; I’m a country person, so Bendigo was perfect,” she admits. Judy and her husband Wayne have two children who both attended Euroa Primary and Secondary schools. Her son Sean studied medical imaging at RMIT Bundoora and has recently been holidaying and working in Europe and England. He has just returned to Australia and started work in Tasmania. Maddie, Judy’s daughter, studied sciences at Deakin Burwood and veterinary science at Melbourne University. She was working in Geelong and happily for Judy and Wayne, returned to Euroa in August to take up a position as a vet at ACE Vets in Euroa. Judy is a very highly regarded member of Euroa Secondary College both by staff and students. Her calming, caring presence, are some of her many strengths that are supported by intelligence, and a resolute disposition to provide the best possible education to the Euroa Secondary College students, on all levels. The college’s history and success has been due to people like Judy, a teacher, student, parent, and member of the Euroa community.