Highly respected and much-loved Cobram teachers Marilynne and Gary Cleveland began their teaching careers after marrying in 1971.
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Neither one could have envisaged they would remain in the profession for at least the next 50 years.
Qualifying from Coburg Teachers’ College, the future looked exciting for the two young teachers, who were prepared to go wherever positions were available.
Initially, their first postings were for 12 months in the Western District where Gary was appointed head teacher at a one-teacher school, Culla Primary School.
He took a class of 10 students.
Marilynne was appointed to Balmoral Consolidated and the young couple was fortunate to be offered accommodation on a farmhouse on a soldier settlement property at Coojar.
The big, strong, talented ruckman was quickly signed by local football club Pigeon Ponds to play in their senior side. Gary also coached the under-17s.
He was in his element, both on and off the field.
It was a dream come true for small rural communities to not only secure a talented footballer, but husband and wife primary school teachers to boot.
The following year, the couple moved to the King Valley where Gary was appointed head teacher at a two-teacher school, Edi Upper PS.
Meanwhile, Marilynne‘s appointment was to Carboor, where she was head teacher at the one-teacher school of 10 students.
Gary’s skills on the football field were in high demand, and King Valley didn’t hesitate to sign him.
“There were many couples like us, both teachers, and we built up some wonderful friendships, and we’d go into the Pinsent Hotel in Wangaratta on a Friday night to meet up for a meal and have a great time,” Marilynne said.
Gary purchased a motorcycle while he was at Edi Upper. At the time, Gary had a young Grade 4 student who struggled to learn his tables.
Gary put forward a proposition to the young lad that if he worked hard and learnt his tables, he would give him a ride on his motorcycle.
Two things happened: the boy learnt his tables and earned his ride on Mr Cleveland’s motorcycle.
He also became a multi-millionaire businessman with his own earth-moving business and obviously learnt the skills he needed.
In 1974, Marilynne transferred to the tobacco growing district of Cheshunt to a two-teacher school where she taught years prep, one and two.
The children were from various nationalities due to the industry attracting overseas migrant workers.
“We loved our years teaching in the King Valley and have remained friends with not only fellow teachers but families and former students from that time,” Marilynne said.
On the move again in 1975, Marilynne and Gary headed to Bundalong where Gary was appointed to Yarrawonga PS and quickly nabbed by the Yarrawonga Football Club to strengthen its senior side.
Marilynne travelled to Thoona, a two-teacher school where she taught years prep, one and two.
In 1978, both Gary and Marilynne were offered positions at Cobram Consolidated School.
Marilynne was on family leave and did not take up her position until later that year as art teacher.
Gary was appointed to teach Year 3 before going on to teach Years 4, 5 and 6.
Gary recalled a young boy in Year 3 who lived in a tent at Horseshoe Lagoon with his mum and her partner.
He was always early to school and looked as though he could do with extra care.
When it was time for parent-teacher interviews, it appears mum was not inclined to attend and the little chap would make an excuse that mum had had an incident and couldn’t make it that day.
He was quite a bright boy and Gary had high hopes for his future, but they left the area, which was disappointing.
The school had in excess of 600 students at the time.
Gary signed with Barooga Football Club in 1978 and shared an absolutely amazing period with the club when it won four premierships over a five-year period.
He became something of a hero around the club and the local community.
A year later in 1980, Gary was released from the school for a period of 12 months when he was appointed the Rural School adviser for the district.
Marilynne took further family leave and returned in 1981, when she was offered a prep teaching position, which she just loved.
She continued on for many years together with years prep-one, and prep, one and two.
During her final years, it was prep teaching that was her first love, which she regarded as an absolute privilege.
In 1989 Gary was appointed to Strathmerton PS where he went on to become assistant principal.
Three years later he was appointed principal of Katandra West where he remained until his retirement 13 years later, in 2004.
Meanwhile Marilynne continued teaching at Cobram until she too retired in 2004, albeit not entirely.
Reluctant to give teaching away altogether, she decided to apply for relief teaching in a number of local schools.
Today, she still enjoys casual teaching at Strathmerton and Katamatite, generally two to three days per week.
She loves the children so much. What with the rapport she has built with them and their families after more than 50 years spent in classrooms around the state, it’s very hard to call it a day.
Gary has not been idle during his retirement either, joining Brian Walsh Funerals as a funeral assistant.
In 2012 he was elected to Moira Shire Council where he remained for eight years, holding the position of mayor for two of those years.
For the dedicated husband-and-wife team who have remained in the local area, their years as educators to local primary aged children have instilled a great sense of pride.
Marilynne particularly recalls each five-year-old’s first day of school, when their mum left them at the classroom door.
Gary and his fellow teachers guided them to ensure they would be well-equipped for the next stage of their school life, coping with secondary school.
Marilynne and Gary’s three children, Timothy, Daniel and Gabby, grew up in Cobram and now live in Melbourne and Ballarat with their families.
They absolutely love coming back regularly to visit Cobram.
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