Award Categories
Lindsay Thompson Fellowship
The prestigious Lindsay Thompson Fellowship was established in 1998 to acknowledge and enhance the teaching profession in Victoria.
The fellowship raises awareness that professional learning can improve the quality of teaching and learning. It is awarded to promote action research and to disseminate exemplary and innovative teaching and learning practice for the benefit of all teachers.
The recipient is expected to explore the implications of their findings within their school and to expand the knowledge base of networks and regions.
The fellowship honours the contribution of the Hon. Lindsay H.S. Thompson, AO, CMG, Education Minister (1967–79), by presenting an annual travel and research fellowship in his name.
Award details:
- An overseas research fellowship for up to ten weeks for a government school teacher
- $50,000 to be used for all costs associated with undertaking the research and producing a report (travel, accommodation, casual replacement, data collection and study costs). The recipient’s current salary will continue to be paid during the fellowship.
- One year’s free membership with the Australian College of Educators and a further three years membership at a reduced rate (half cost).
About The Hon. Lindsay H.S. Thompson, AO, CMG
Lindsay Thompson began his career as a teacher at Malvern Central School (1951–52), followed by the position of master at Melbourne High School (1953–54).
At the beginning of 1955, Lindsay Thompson resigned from the Education Department to commence what was to become a long and distinguished political career spanning three decades. On 10 May 1967 he succeeded Sir John Bloomfield as Education Minister, a position he held with great distinction for twelve years. In doing so he became, and remains, Victoria’s longest-serving Education Minister.
He was Deputy Premier between 1972 and 1981 and Premier between 1981 and 1982.
In addition to Lindsay Thompson’s qualities of integrity, dignity and patience that he brought to his role as Education Minister, he was also a man of vision. His book Looking Ahead in Education, published in 1969, listed some 65 recommendations regarding the future of education in Victoria. By the early 1990s, the majority of these had been implemented.
Guidelines
Winners of this award were announced at the Victorian Education Excellence Awards on Friday 15 May 2009.