Tennant’s own Pam Dillon has been recognised as a Leader in Education at the Teaching in the Territory Excellence Awards, held on World Teacher’s Day last Friday.

Pam has been teaching for 40 years, of which 10 of these years have been spent working in Indigenous education in the Northern Territory.

She has taught in the classroom, as a PE teacher, Assistant Principal and Acting Principal, and is currently the Barkly Sport Education Coordinator.

Fondly known across the Barkly Region as Dillon, her unwavering dedication inspires students and staff and has established her as a positive role model for youth in schools and the broader community.

She regularly travels to remote communities to deliver professional development through first aid, CPR and physical literacy training.

This training allows students to participate in a variety of balancing, throwing and jumping activities, while their teacher is trained on how the activities can be used to learn maths.

Outside school hours, she runs Bronze Medallion, CPR and first-aid training for teachers in remote communities, actively ensuring all staff can participate.

She also educates students about water safety, and when they come into Tennant Creek from remote communities, they learn to swim to improve their strokes for swimming carnivals.

Dillon facilitates interschool events for Barkly region schools and tailored programs for remote schools, with a ‘come and try’ philosophy.

Dillon said she was honoured to receive the award.

“I’m not here for me; I’m here for the kids,” she said.

“I know I work harder than what I need to do, and it’s nice to be recognised for that and that someone in the Barkly has nominated me.

“My job is all about the kids’ faces and their smiles.”

Minister for Education Eva Lawler said the Territory is extremely fortunate to have an outstanding cohort of passionate and motivated educators who are committed to inspiring young people to learn and reach their full potential.

“Despite our huge geography, our education team do an amazing job covering the whole of the Territory, and I would personally like to thank each and every one of you for the monumental role you play in shaping a student’s life,” she said.

“Congratulations to all award finalists and recipients; you alongside your colleagues, have been working hard to ensure that students right across the Territory get the best start in life.”

World Teachers’ Day celebrates the work of teachers, acknowledging the important contribution they make to our community, and for Territory Educators work doesn’t start or end when the bell rings.

Being a teacher is more than a career; it is a profession that changes lives.

Every year, the Territory Government celebrates World Teachers’ Day with events across the NT, where the annual Teaching in the Territory Excellence Awards winners are announced.

The Teaching in the Territory Excellence Awards honour those dedicated teachers, principals, leaders and support staff providing high-calibre education services in the NT.

Each category has an overall winner and a regional winner. 

See all the pictures in the issue.

This article appeared in Tennant & District Times, 3 November 2023.