Legendary educator Kimberley Tempest takes out Citizen of the Year

Her efforts have made the small public high school well-known around Victoria and a powerhouse in regional public education.

Ms Tempest was credited for her vision for the college: “Every student matters, every staff member cares, every opportunity is taken, and every student succeeds”.

Ms Tempest has forged strong bonds between the school and local businesses to ensure that the students are equipped with job-ready skills upon graduating.

She was also acknowledged for her initiation of several new school and VET programs.

One of the new programs that began while Ms Tempest was principal was the Pedal Empowerment program, which won the Environmental Project of the Year on Australia Day 2023.

Another initiative she has driven is designed to assist students struggling with standardised learning.

Ms Tempest was also acknowledged for her advocacy of regional and rural schools.

This advocacy has seen Ms Tempest on the Committee of the Country Education Partnership group, being a state executive councillor of the Australian Principal’s Federation, and being Moira and Strathbogie Principal’s network chairperson.

In 2023, Ms Tempest won the Colin Simpson Outstanding Secondary Principal of the Year Award at the Victorian Education Excellence Awards in Melbourne.

In her Australia Day Award acceptance speech she acknowledged her staff and students, as well as the family, who she described as invaluable.

“It’s a big honour to be nominated, let alone named the Citizen of the Year,” she said.

Ms Tempest was keen to point out that she didn’t do what she did for recognition and vows to continue working hard to educate the young of the community and be an advocate for regional and rural schools.

“I do it to make a difference in the lives of the young people that I work for and the community that I live in,” she said,

“I feel like our community is only as strong as the people in it.”