Meet Dr Joan Addinsall, who has helped shape more young minds over the years than she can begin to imagine.
The 90-year-old retired school principal, whose last post was at the helm of Cheltenham Secondary College, lives at Uniting AgeWell Noble Park Community, where she is affectionately referred to by the staff as ‘Dr Joan.’
Joan, who was awarded her doctorate in education, has devoted her life to teaching history and English – and later on to being a principal.
There’s little doubt she’s left enduring and cherished memories in the minds of countless students, and teachers, who have been guided by her wisdom over the decades. “Teaching has changed so much over the years, but young minds haven’t,” she says “I’ve always enjoyed working with children.”
Joan was also a lay preacher – successfully combining the careers of both her parents. Her mum was a teacher and her dad a Methodist minister.
“I remember spending a holiday with a past pupil of mine who lived on a farm in Dorset,” Joan says. “I preached at a little church in the village there, which was pet-friendly. A lot of dogs attended, and they sat under the pews and didn’t bark or anything. I think they were glad to see me.”
Joan, who was an only child, is single and lived with her parents all her life, nursing both of them in the lead-up to their deaths. “We were happy together, I’ve had a good life,” she says.
Joan also loves travelling and is a self-confessed globe-trotter. ‘I’ve travelled to Europe and all over. I retired when I was 60, so I’ve had a lot of time to enjoy exploring the world.”
Joan still enjoys watching the news, reading and taking part in the painting classes at Noble Community, though she says she’s “not much of an artist.”
Yet.
Joan knows only too well the power of positive teaching, and this abounds in the popular art classes. The work of two residents, Eva and Duree, were recently exhibited at the Walker Street Gallery & Arts Centre in Dandenong.
For many residents the classes offer an opportunity to start a new hobby after a lifetime of being flat chat with work and family – and the art work many produce is developing a reputation, showing at local galleries from time to time.
Find out more about Noble Park Community here: https://unitingagewell.org/our-services/residential-care/noble-park-community
Or book a personal tour today by calling 1300 783 435 or booking online here: www.unitingagewell.org/book-a-tour