By Jane Branigan                                                                                                                      

Linda Dube and her husband Del (Delano) migrated from USA to Australia in 1976. They settled in Orbost and Linda began teaching at the Orbost Secondary School. Linda and Del lived there for four years prior to travelling to Benalla where they would make their home and their imprint on the hearts of Benalla’s people. They continue to serve the Catholic Community through active participation in the parish, leading the singing at weekend and special occasion Masses. Linda began teaching at FCJ College in 1980.

Linda recalls that one of the most memorable occasions of teaching at FCJ College was being part of the Cooinda ‘Let’s Find our Voice Program’ for nine consecutive years. FCJ College and Cooinda Aged Care have a partnership in an annual (pre- COVID and hopefully post- COVID) program where the Year 7 students meet the seniors and together they learn to sing a range of songs, which will culminate in a public concert. Linda identified this as one of her most fulfilling and enjoyable experiences during her years at FCJ College.

Linda also enjoyed leading the Year 7 camp for many years in her role as Year 7 Learning Leader, formerly known as Year 7 coordinator. Linda planned the camp, provided formation for her team of teachers and the FCJ graduate students who also worked at this event. Linda enjoyed getting to know the students and having fun with them at the Howqua camp. This event was a welcoming activity before the students commenced their studies at FCJ College.

One of the most notable things for me, as Linda’s colleague, was her summer holiday activity of learning as much information about the students in her care as possible. The purpose of this selfless commitment was to enable her to provide the maximum learning opportunities possible and also to allow her to engage in conversation about topics of interest to her students.

Linda also reminisced that one of the moments of absolute joy in her teaching career was the moment when the ‘lightbulb’ was ‘turned on’ and the student understood what Linda had been trying to teach them, especially if that student had a former self-belief, that this was not possible.

Linda is most grateful for the opportunity to travel with the French students to New Caledonia four times and to organise two language immersion trips to Paris. She is also thankful for having the opportunity to go to Tasmania on a diocesan study trip to learn about ‘Positive Behaviour in Schools’ (PBIS) which later became ‘Schoolwide Positive Behaviour Support’ (SWPBS) .

In her retirement, Linda plans to continue her active involvement with Probus, keep fit by attending Aqua Aerobics at the Benalla Aquatics Centre and enjoy coffee or lunch with her friends, particularly those with whom she worked at FCJ College. She will also babysit her many grandchildren.

Linda is to be highly commended for over 40 years of service to FCJ College Benalla. We will miss her cheery and calming presence at school, but we will always remember with deep gratitude her commitment and love of learning. She leaves behind her a legacy of wisdom, service and dedication. We extend to her our very best wishes for a healthy and fun-filled retirement. Linda will always be loved and treasured at FCJ Benalla.

Linda conducting the Cooinda 'Lets Find Our Voice' Choir comprised of FCJ Benalla Students and residents at Cooinda Aged Care. 

FCJ Benalla students celebrating their teacher's 40-years of Service. 

Story by Jane Branigan,
RE Teacher FCJ College Benalla