PRINCIPAL John Mooney has notched up a golden milestone at Dandenong’s Emerson School.
He has devoted more than 50 years to educating thousands of students, teachers, parents and the wider community.
Emerson campus principal Dianne Wright said his enthusiasm and perseverance had motivated even the most reluctant learner to achieve the unbelievable.
“John is a humble and selfless man who has contributed many hours ensuring that everyone in his path is acknowledged and treated with kindness and compassion,” she said.
“His innovative ideas, uncompromising integrity and boundless energy have promoted special education around the globe.”
Ms Wright said that Mr Mooney’s tenacity and vision had transformed Emerson School from a place of ‘last resort’ to one of opportunity that unleashed the potential within every student and staff member.
“He has built a culture of respect and positiveness that inspires everyone to look for the good in each other,” she said.
“His courage and ability to stand up for those who cannot is far reaching.
“It is men like John Mooney who make Australia such a great country.”
Ms Wright said many had sought Mr Mooney’s wise counsel over the years and his influence spanned many schools, centres, foundations, government departments, professional and industrial bodies, universities and networks.
He started his education career in primary and rural schools and in 1974 started studies in Special Education at Monash University.
Mr Mooney took up the Open Commonwealth Relations Trust Fellowship at London University in 1982 and completed a Master of Arts in Educational Psychology in addition to fulfilling fellowship responsibilities.
He has been principal at three large specialist schools since returning to Australia in 1984.
In 2002 he was made a Fellow of the Australian College of Education for his contribution to specialist education and in 2006 he received the Department of Education and Training’s Southern Metropolitan Region Principal of the Year Award.
The Victorian Branch of the Australian Association of Special Education in 2007 awarded Mr Mooney the TLW Emerson award for services to special education.
He’s been a committee member of supported employment and training organisation Waverley Helpmates since its inception in 1986 and is a director of the Gorman Foundation, which aims to improve relationships between individuals with a disability and the general community.
Mr Mooney was awarded the Public Service Medal in 2014.
