By GARY FRY
Caption: James Francis White has been awarded a Public Service Medal for outstanding public service to public education, particularly in the New England region of NSW. Picture: DANIELI STUDIOS
ONE of the Armidale-based Queen’s Birthday Honours was a prestigious Public Service Medal, awarded to James (Jim) Francis White, ’for outstanding public service to public education, particularly in the New England region of NSW’.
“After 38 years in the public service, it is a thrilling honour to be recognised,” Mr White said. “Public servants can be the unsung heroes of a system. People don’t know the real work that goes on behind the scenes.
“I was particularly pleased that this award highlighted the different layers of work I’ve done, across many diverse jobs, within the Education Department.”
Mr White has made a considerable contribution to primary, secondary and tertiary public education. He has worked as a classroom teacher, principal of four schools, university lecturer, School Education Director and Regional Director for the Department of Education and Communities.
Mr White’s passion for education and improving outcomes for children and young people, has seen him involved in a broad array of innovative programs for students in the New England region, including the Band 5 and Beyond program introduced in 2011, for senior science and English students.
He has published a number of educational papers, developed numerous training programs, chaired the NSW Agricultural Advisory Committee and the NSW Premier’s Science Scholarship Committee.
Through his involvement with the University of New England, Mr White has also contributed to the Course Advisory Board and supported university staff with research into Indigenous education and school leadership education.
“The biggest changes that I’ve seen in our schools have been in technology,” Mr White said.
“I’m very proud of our public school system and the quality of the young people going through it now. Australia’s going to be in good hands in the future.”
Mr White was award the Australian Sports Medal in 2000, the Regional Director’s Award by the NSW Federation of Parents and Citizens’ Associations in 2012 and the NSW Director General’s Award for Excellent Service to Public Education in 2008.
The Public Service Medal means that Jim White is finishing his role on a high note.
“I am aiming to finish with the Department at the end of June. I’ll be looking to a new career pathway in tertiary education at UNE,” he said.
