At the end of Year 10, I had been so immersed in leadership activities as a Prefect, some of my class projects were not completed to my satisfaction. At the end of November 1990, when all my Year 10 peers had left, I returned, with permission, to the wood work room to complete the jewellery box I had started two terms earlier. Mr Burke, the material and design teacher, provided loose supervision and hearty conversation. I learned later that he had been the author of my Year 10 reference. He had taught me technical drawing, wood work, and furniture restoration over my final two years. It was to be those conversations in the last few weeks of high school that helped settle my direction for Year 11. Mr Burke was a gentle encourager. He praised my maturity, and actively nudge me to go after my dreams.

In that era, there was no senior secondary options for study in George Town. About half of the 100 graduates from that year did not go on to further study. All students seeking to progress to Year 11 and 12 had to travel to Launceston. The ‘college’ of choice for my peers was Alanvale College in the northern suburbs of Launceston.  I, however, had a different plan. My interest in exercise and human movement led me to explore enrolment at Launceston College in the city centre. My desire to attend the larger campus, with gymnasium and pool, required approval from the College Principal as I was zoned to attend Alanvale. I toured the campus, I put my case, and I was permitted entry. I was the only student from my year group to attend Launceston College. I won the right to attend a school with the facilities to match my interests, but I lost all connection with my high school peers.