May 24th, 2026Celebrating Victoria’s Longest Serving Teachers
60 years in any job is something worth celebrating – but 60 years of being a teacher is extraordinary.
A 60-year veteran of education is among the 307 long-serving teachers and support staff being honoured today.
Deputy Premier and Minister for Education Ben Carroll congratulated hard-working teachers and support staff at the annual Recognition of Service awards.
Staff were presented awards for 40, 45, 50, 55 and 60 years of service to public education in Victoria.
Education veterans include John Mooney OAM PSM, who has worked in our public schools since he graduated in 1966.
John has been Principal of Emerson School, a specialist school in Melbourne’s southeast for 29 years, and also served as principal at specialist schools in Frankston and Ashwood.
He was awarded the Public Service Medal for contribution to students with disabilities in 2014, and an Order of Australia Medal followed in 2020.
Schools with multiple staff being recognised this year include:
- Balwyn High School with a 50, 45 and 40 year recipient.
- Bendigo Senior Secondary College with a 40, 45, and 50 year recipient.
- Glen Waverley Secondary College with three 40 year recipients and one 50 year recipient.
- Haddon Primary School with two 45 year recipients.
- Greater Shepparton Secondary College with a 40 and 50 year recipient.
- Portland Primary School with a 40 and 50 year recipient.
Quotes attributable to Deputy Premier and Minister for Education Ben Carroll
“Today, we say thank you to those teachers and education support staff who have taught generations of young learners.”
”Whenever I speak with our hard-working teachers, I’m struck by their dedication to making sure our children thrive.“
”I’m proud that Labor has made Victorian teachers the best paid in the nation – because they’re the best in the nation.”
