Diploma in Teaching
At 168¿ª½±¹ÙÍø’s 1958-1961
After graduating from 168¿ª½±¹ÙÍø’s in 1961, Ann Brett (nee Russell) studied teaching and embarked on a career that would span nearly 50 years. Ann taught English as a Second Language to both primary and secondary students as well as teaching swimming.
Ann was also heavily involved with the Royal Life Saving Society Queensland (RLSSQ), an interest which was first sparked during physical education classes at 168¿ª½±¹ÙÍø’s.
In 1956, at the age of 12, Ann gained her first lifesaving award, and while at Teachers’ College assisted other students to gain their Bronze Medallion (as was the requirement of the Queensland Education Department at the time).
Ann devoted many years to volunteering with the organisation as a RLSSQ examiner, and during the mid-60s and early 70s, she examined many students at schools and institutions across Southeast Queensland.
After returning to Australia from overseas in 1972, Ann continued volunteering with the RLSSQ, assisting with conferences, instructing and examining. In 1982, she became Secretary of the Board of Examiners, a position she held until 1990. This was a critical time for Royal Life Saving in Australia during which the new Swimming and Lifesaving manual was produced with an unprecedented approach to lifesaving and its award structure.
Ann managed not only Royal Life Saving examiners in Queensland but also a new level of assessors, called Authorised Assessors, who were responsible for examining the new awards for primary school aged students titled ‘Swim & Survive’.
Ann held the position of 168¿ª½±¹ÙÍø’s Old Girls’ Association Secretary in 1964-65 and was responsible for the organising of the OGA Farewell dinner for Miss Vera Wearin, long-serving Head Mistress.
Reflecting on her 168¿ª½±¹ÙÍø’s experience, Ann says she developed many life skills through the school’s House system and her extracurricular involvement.
“The House system encouraged teamwork and now, in hindsight, this teamwork philosophy has infiltrated my work, social and volunteer life.
“The physical education program included compulsory water safety programs, among a wide variety of other activities. It was my involvement in water safety at school that gave me the confidence to join the RLSSQ organisation where I developed my skills even further,” Ann says.
Ann was School Vice-Captain and Captain of the school’s Swimming, Lifesaving and Athletics teams. She was also an enthusiastic member of the ‘A’ basketball team which Ann recalls ‘sadly’ lost the QGSSSA final in 1961.
In addition to a Diploma of Teaching, Ann gained several Certificates in the field of education as well as her Austswim Certificate. She was the recipient of the UQ Swimming Blue Award in 1963 and is a Life Member of Royal Life Saving Society Queensland.
Ann was the recipient of a Medal in the General Division (OAM) in the Queen's Birthday 2021 Honours List.
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