Great Scot May 2020 Great Scot 159_MAY 2020_ONLINE_V3 | Page 99

VALE
GRAHAM THEODORE NOWACKI,
JUNIOR SCHOOL HEADMASTER
(1986-98)
Graham’s wife, Villa, wrote:
Graham Theodore Nowacki was born
at Coleraine on 24 March 1938, the eldest
child of Leon Meynell and Jessie Isabella
(nee Macvean) Nowacki. His early education
was at Coleraine until the family moved to
Horsham, where he attended Horsham High
School.
After his tertiary education, Graham
became a teacher, and his first appointment
was at Connewirricoo in western Victoria.
He later taught at Dixons Creek Primary
School, and then at Healesville High School.
At this stage he had purchased land in
Dixons Creek, where he ran a Merino stud.
In 1968 Graham took up a position in the
New Hebrides (now Vanuatu) as Education
Secretary. His role was to build up the
schools run by the Presbyterian Church in
Australia and hand them over to the British
Education Service.
On 19 July 1969 Graham married
Lavillia Edna (Villa) Henderson at St David’s
Presbyterian Church, Haberfield, New South
Wales.
Returning to Australia, Graham worked in
real estate for a few years before resuming
teaching, which he loved. He worked at
Carey Baptist Grammar School before
becoming the foundation Junior Head at the
newly-formed Eltham College. He remained
there for 12 years.
In September 1986 Graham was
appointed Headmaster of the Scotch
Junior School. He made an outstanding
contribution to the development of the
Junior School, particularly as it was about
to undergo a significant redevelopment
from 1988 to 1990. His contribution to its
planning and construction is reflected in the
Junior School’s excellent facilities.
From the outset, Graham recognised
the importance of adapting the School
to the changing world, and created an
environment where new initiatives in
curriculum and teaching practice were
developed. He encouraged staff to form
groups to develop new curriculum policy
documents.
Moving Year 7 boys from the Junior
School to the Senior School, beginning in
1988, enabled closer links on curriculum
matters between the Junior and Senior
Schools. The reintroduction of Grade Prep in
1989 ensured greater curriculum continuity
from Prep to Year 12.
In 1990 Graham was appointed
Chairman of the Victorian Branch of the
Junior School Heads’ Association. He
set up the first curriculum groups across
schools. Later, he became the National
Chairman, and represented the association
on international study tours.
In 1996 the Australian College of
Educators awarded Graham a Fellowship
in recognition of his 40-year contribution to
education.
The many changes under Graham’s
leadership created strong foundations for
the Junior School to grow and prosper.
Through his leadership, management and
educational vision, Graham positioned the
Junior School to meet the challenge of the
new millennium.
Graham retired at the end of Term 2,
1998, and moved to Yarrawonga. He died
on 21 December 2019 at Karana Nursing
Home, Yarrawonga, survived by his wife,
daughters and sons-in-law, Lee and Trent
Evans, and Peta and Freek Wetzels, and
grandchildren Billy, Jessie, Amity and Emily.
APPLY
EARLY FOR
PLACES AT
SCOTCH
DEMAND FOR PLACES AT
SCOTCH IS VERY HIGH
AND MEMBERS OF THE
SCOTCH FAMILY ARE
ADVISED TO SUBMIT
THEIR APPLICATIONS
IMMEDIATELY AFTER
THEIR SON'S BIRTH
The application fee is $100.
Application forms can be downloaded
from the Scotch College website, along
with further information relating to the
School’s admissions process, at:
www.scotch.vic.edu.au/admissions.aspx