By Parker McKenzie
Monbulk resident Jeanette Pritchard received an Order of Australia Medal on Monday 12 July, for her commitment to education and mentoring young people throughout Victoria.
She said while it is an incredible honour, it is essential the community knows it is everyone’s responsibility “to care and be a part of enhancing the wellbeing of our young people.”
“The well-being of young people has to be the responsibility of a whole community,” Ms Pritchard said.
“We’ve always left it up for the parents, we’ve left it up for the school and I think what happens when you have a good mentoring programme is that that responsibility is shared.”
While a teacher at Hamilton Technical School and Baimbridge College, Ms Pritchard started the Standing Tall program, which now offers mentoring access to students in 15 schools in Hamilton and Warrnambool.
Ms Pritchard said she is now focused on bringing a mentorship program to the hills, in partnership with Big Brothers Big Sisters Australia.
“In the last couple of years, I’ve decided I would like to see a community programme up here in the Dandenong Ranges,” she said.
“What I’m working on now is getting that because I have seen mentoring as a powerful thing.”
Ms Pritchard received her OAM for service to youth and to secondary education and is the chairperson for the steering committee for the mentorship program based in Monbulk.
While she didn’t put the work into education and mentorship programs for the accolades, it was exciting to be recognised for the effort.
“People who do these sorts of things, you just put in a hell of a lot of work and sometimes wonder if the message getting out there?” she said.
“When something like this happens, it means it gives you a platform you can talk about something you’re very passionate about.”
The 75-year-old is now retired and moved to Monbulk a few years ago, but is continuing the work which earned her an OAM in the hills.
“If it translates into something tangible for this community that is much needed, and let me assure you the schools will tell you it’s much needed, then that is a really brilliant outcome.” Ms Pritchard said.
Big Brothers Big Sisters Dandenong Ranges will be hosting a fundraising trivia night at the Watering Hole Tavern in Monbulk on Thursday 22 June at 7pm.
Tickets are $15 per person and tables are for four to six people, with the money raised going towards mentoring in the hills. F
or more information, visit BBBStrivianight2023.eventbrite.com.au.
