Welfare and support
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Kerryanne Knox
You can get in touch with Kerry, the IRSEA Welfare Officer, by email through our 'contact us' page
It’s important to support and stay in contact with each other.
IRSEA has members in areas across NSW and beyond. It is hard for former colleagues to keep in contact as people move, and emails and mobile numbers change.
We have all had great memories of our careers and still remain interested in education and what are colleagues are up to now.
These pages will allow for this interaction and as well as provide connection, and provide some support through face-to-face opportunities.
Please keep returning to this page for some exciting welfare news and opportunities.
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IRSEA Welfare officer’s ode
Kerryanne Knox
December 2023
Our membership is ageing, we are getting old I must say
So we need lots of new members in IRSEA.
My job is to inform you all of those who have left us
I try to do it with aplomb and a minimum of fuss
However, it is quite a sad job I need to tell you
Reading obituaries and then having to write them too.
It’s a special talent folks I need to express myself
Writing nicely about people who have fallen off the shelf.
But there is an upside in every job let me explain
I get to reminisce with many and go down memory lane
I get to hear the funny tales of people who were revered
I get to hear about their commitment and what they held dear
I get to be reminded that public education is truly the best
And has stood proudly for many years way above the rest.
I get to say goodbye to brilliant educators, female and male
Who had the initiative and drive to succeed and rarely fail
I get to write farewell to people who no longer remember
When they were in charge…a public education protector.
I get to give families proud stories that often they didn’t know
I get to give their ex-colleagues an outing…..a funeral to go.
I am honoured to have a position such as this one
Because I value the work that has been so well done.
If we didn’t have these people contributing to education
I can tell you we would be in quite a different situation.
Murat said “we stand on the shoulders of others who have come before us”
We need to acknowledge them, so I try to do this with your trust.
We have lost a few gems this year, some way too young to leave
We have celebrated them, and we have ensured time to grieve
So, in conclusion colleagues and friends, raise your glasses high
And remember those special people to whom we have said goodbye.
Keep us up to date with information about yourself, and colleagues.
Please let us know about happy memories of working with colleagues and your reflections on post-retirement experiences.
Please let us know of any members who would benefit from contact with our Welfare Officer.
We were saddened to hear of the passing of our members:
Jack Harrison
14 Dec 1933 – 22 Sept 2021.
Click on the link below to read Jack’s daughter’s eulogy. The IRSEA Newsletter of November 2021 has testimonials from colleagues.
Dr Terry Burke
18 May 1941 – 28 December 2021.
Click on the title below to read Dr Ken Boston’s eulogy for Terry. (Reproduced with permission of Terry’s family and Ken Boston.)
Alan Young
6 May 1940 – 21 December 2021
Click on the link below to read David Maher’s testimonial for Alan.
Ian Roy Scott
22 August 1929 – 23 May 2022
Click on the link below to read Ian’s son, Graham’s eulogy.