Ms O’Brien began her career as a classroom teacher at Mooroopna, Tallygaroopna and Gowrie Street primary schools before working her way through roles including leading teacher, assistant principal and principal at Wilmot Rd Primary School, and later principal of Grahamvale Primary School.
She went on to serve as a regional network leader, principal of Benalla P-12 College and senior education improvement leader in Shepparton before being appointed GSSC executive principal in late 2020.
Her appointment coincided with the Shepparton Education Plan, which represented the largest investment in public education in the Goulburn region.
The plan centred on consolidating four secondary colleges into GSSC.
Ms O’Brien guided the college through this transition, which overlapped with COVID-19 lockdowns, and oversaw expanded subject offerings, new career and study pathways and improved academic outcomes.
Reflecting on her career, Ms O’Brien said she had followed a consistent personal philosophy.
“I followed a message I’ve applied to my career: ‘Take risks and learn from others around you because there’s nothing you can’t achieve if you have the right attitude,’” Ms O’Brien said.
Department of Education North-East Victoria regional director Karen Money paid tribute to Ms O’Brien’s leadership style.
“Barb has been a leadership inspiration to me and the profession more broadly in her courage to build high expectations with a basis steeped in kindness and care,” Ms Money said.
Ms O’Brien will finish as GSSC executive principal in January 2027.
