Laurie+Collins

Teacher 1979 - 1984

__** Laurie Collins **__

I was woodwork and metal work teacher at Mortlake College from about 79 to 84 I worked with all sorts of people such as Leo King, Mike Duffy ,Howard Mills, Lyle Russell, Graham Good and lots of others.  I was part of the Mortlake Historical society for a while, and at the school Howard Mills arranged for us to get TEAC Grants for a Historical signage project through the town( still there, OLD MILL etc), set up a mini farm and an adventure playground, since removed.I set up a photography room there at the end of the shelter sheds,and Leo managed to get a metalwork room for me which is still there. __Work History__ While I was at Mortlake we had three kids who are now teachers, I cut the tip of my finger off and I started to do my own craft work mainly using redgum slabs from the Grampians. Since leaving I have taught at Drouin Secondary College for the rest of my teaching career and have moved from woodwork to mainly metal sculpture and furniture. ( see website www.lauriecollins.com.au) Current position/ ambition etc: We have since taken my work to China and are organising an exhibition in Canada next year.

__Career Ambitions__ We have since taken my work to China and are organising an exhibition in Canada next year.

__Mortlake College Reflections__ This was my first school to teach at so I have very fond memories of the different families I worked with. Hodge, Atkinson, Wheeler, Gunning, Rounds, Garvey, McDonalds, Renkins, Perrets, Arkles, Stewarts, Clingans,Wildfellners Stuart Murrays, and loads of others.I loved being with such a friendly staff and I still keep in touch with past teachers such as Howard Mills,Grant Taylor, Tim Wills,Stuart Hoyt, Ian MacDonnell, Tony Uhe, Joy Windle, Lyle Russell and Mark Pech, Annette Janes, John Weber Glyn Court and face book has allowed me to contact a range of past students too.