Bev O'callaghan

Department of Education

I am an Arrernte woman from the Ilpme Group of Lhere Artepe in Mparntwe, I started in education in 1990 as a volunteer at Sadadeen Secondary College (SSC) one day a fortnight, where I was also ASSPA chair and a school council member. In 1992 I was appointed as a community liaison officer at SSC leading to working as an Aboriginal and islander education worker at Ross Park. Over a period of 8 years I completed 2 courses of study to become a qualified Aboriginal education worker winning the DEET award for Excellence and Achievement and delivering the student response at graduation in 2006.

• 1993 to 1996 Sadadeen Secondary Centralian College
• 1997 to 1998 Ross Park Primary School
• 1998 Larapinta Primary School
• 1999 to 2023 Ross Park Primary School.

In recent years it has been a significant part of my career to further the truth-telling movement for Aboriginal people in Central Australia. I became an author, and together with my niece as illustrator, have published ‘The Legend of the Desert Pea: Colonial Era Conflicts’. It has been incredibly satisfying and an honour to have schools request to use my book as a resource to foster understanding and conciliation.

I have really enjoyed my time helping students with their education, the whole experience has helped define my life.