Graham Taylor wins the Victorian Public Service Medal
31 January 2002
Graham Taylor, Advanced Skills Teacher, Auto Body and Sheetmetal, at Kangan Batman TAFE.
Graham Taylor, Advanced Skills Teacher, Auto Body and Sheetmetal, at Kangan Batman TAFE, was awarded a Public Service Medal in the Australia Day Honours for his outstanding service to vocational education and training over the past 30 years.
Graham received the medal, which is given for outstanding public service, in recognition of his 30 years service to vocational education. He was also recognised for his outstanding commitment to young people through his association with Australian Rules football, the Montrose Football Club and the Eastern District Football League.
Graham started his teaching career in February 1972 at the then Batman Automotive College which is now a part of Kangan Batman TAFE. During his 30 years in teaching Graham has held the role of Teacher II, Advanced Skills Teacher, Acting Head of Department, Departmental Manager and has been involved in or has been a member of numerous committees and working parties within the collision repair and vocational education and training sectors.
Graham has made a contribution over and above what would be considered reasonable in his profession. An example of his dedication is his travelling close to 160 Kilometres a day to work and even then arriving well before everyone else and is usually the last person to leave.
According to Garry Edwards, the Manager, Auto Body and Sheetmetal: “Graham’s students see him not only as a teacher but as a father figure. On many occasions Graham has picked students up from their homes because they were unable to get transport to school and delivered them home safely at the end of the day. One student once said to me; ‘he is there when you need some advise, he is there when you want a bet and he is there when you don’t have the train fare home’.”
Graham himself is a bit embarrassed by all the attention he has received since being awarded the medal.
“To be really honest, I am embarrassed by it all. I must admit I am proud to get it. I enjoy teaching and enjoy the input I have with my students. Many of my students are now very successful businessmen with their own panel-beating businesses. Panel beating as a trade does not get much recognition, so I’m proud that such an honour has come not only my way but for the trade as well,” he says.
