Aboriginal Educator & Community Elder
Carol Garlett is a Nyoongar woman born in Beverley, the eldest daughter of Dick and Milly Reidy. Her extensive family includes the Reidy, McGuire, Bennell, Collard and Garlett families.
Carol began her education in a small one teacher school at Aldersyde and it was here that her interest in education began. The family moved to Brookton when Carol was in Year 6 and she attended Brookton DHS until the end of Year 10. Carol loved going to Brookton DHS because it was a bigger school and she loved being at school with her numerous cousins and her three sisters and three brothers. With support and encouragement, she won several awards and scholarships.
Carol had a dream of becoming a teacher so, for Year 11 Carol attended Swanbourne SHS and she recalls this particular year as being difficult as she was living in Perth away from her family, friends and support network. At the end of Year 11 Carol was asked if she wanted to change schools and she jumped at the chance and in 1969 she undertook her Year 12 studies at Cyril Jackson SHS and was part of the first Year 12 student cohort of the school. The exceptional teaching, high expectations and excellent standards were all part of the school ethos and Carol believes this culture pushed her to study and gain her Leaving Certificate.
In 1970 she enrolled at Claremont Teachers College where she was the only Aboriginal student. She graduated and had a successful 22 year teaching career spanning locations from Marble Bar to the Wheat belt and in Perth. While teaching full time she completed a Bachelor of Education from Edith Cowan University.
In 1993 Carol began working as a staffing officer with the Education Department and then was appointed to senior positions in the Aboriginal Education Directorate before taking up the role of Director of Schools in the Kimberley region of WA.
Before retiring Carol was employed with the Department of Corrective Services and provided cultural and specialist advice to the Minister, Commissioner and all Divisions within the Department. She provided an Aboriginal perspective to ensure policy development was informed by cultural complexities and to improve the delivery of services.
As an educational leader Carol was and remains committed to helping Aboriginal students, indeed all students, to achieve their best and follow their dreams. Carol is widely acknowledged for her long career in education and her commitment to ensuring that Aboriginal voices are represented in matters concerning the education and aspirations of Aboriginal people. She consulted widely with the Aboriginal community in all her roles but more particularly as Chair of the Western Australian Aboriginal Education and Training Council. For her excellence in education and her role as an Aboriginal Elder, Carol is today named as a Champion of CJ.