Syllabus for success

Raised in Shepparton, Barbara was raised in a large family of 10 children.

“I grew up in Shepparton and I was educated in Shepparton,” she said.

“I have a twin sister, and we were third in line out of the 10 siblings, but I also have twin brothers. So, there are two sets of twins in my family.”

A significant point of pride in her family’s history is the educational accomplishments she and her siblings managed to secure, steered by their parents encouragement.

“(My parents) always believed that we should be given a good education for our future.”

This focus on education bore fruit, as she and two of her siblings later held principal positions at different schools in Shepparton.

“One only retired last year, but we were principals at the same time in Shepparton,” Barbara said.

“Myself here at Greater Shepparton Secondary College, my brother Brendan Bicknell, who is at Guthrie St Primary School, and my sister Denise Howley, who was the principal of Bourchier St Primary School.”

“I have other siblings who have done really well, too.

“So I guess Mum and Dad achieved what they wanted for us; that we all had a good education and went on to something that was of importance in life or value in life.”

In her youth, Barbara attended St Mel’s Primary School, followed by Sacred Heart College before it merged into Notre Dame College.

Not only did this environment foster a lifelong love for learning, but it also forged the pathway for an impressive career in education.

Determined and ready to craft a future full of opportunities, a young Barbara ventured into teaching, obtaining a studentship that enabled her to attend Bendigo Teachers College.

This led her to her first appointment at Sunshine West Glengala Park, a school designed to cater to a disadvantaged community — a challenging yet rewarding beginning.

“I learned a lot about developing relationships with people, families, and students there,” she said.

A return to Shepparton marked a series of enriching teaching experiences across various schools, each offering Barbara the chance to grow, learn and hone her leadership skills.

It was during her time at Wilmot Rd Primary School that she truly blossomed as a leader.

This crucial period laid the foundation for a career filled with pivotal roles, including her tenure as the principal of Grahamvale Primary School, a position she cherishes deeply.

Her journey then led her to the merger of Benalla P-12 College, overseeing the unification of primary and secondary schools.

With a career that has been a dynamic, ever-evolving narrative, shaped by a series of roles that challenged and enriched her professional journey, Barbara said that this ultimately allowed her to take on the role of the executive principal of the college.

“I’ve been really, really fortunate that people have probably seen in me things that I probably didn’t see myself,” Barbara said.

Beyond the corridors of education, Barbara leads a full and vibrant life with her husband, Gary O’Brien, who also teaches at the school.

The couple frequently make trips to Melbourne, either to visit their daughter Zoe O’Brien or to support the Pies at the footy.

“We love footy,” Barbara said.

“I’m a Collingwood supporter, so we often go to the footy.”

For Barbara, the driving force that fuels her dedication is her vision for the college, a place she said is envisaged to foster Shepparton’s future by meeting the unique needs of every student.

With her experience and dedication, it is clear that Barbara is an inspiring figure, particularly for women aspiring to leadership roles.

Her guiding principle remains the same: embrace opportunities with courage and self-belief.

This story originally appeared in Betty. You can find the full publication at http://tinyurl.com/BETTY-Oct2023