About Len Falk
Len Falk BA BEd TPTC MBE
Regional Director of Eduction in Gippsland (1972-1982)
Len grew up in Terang, attended Terang Higher Elementary School and was warm in his praise of the school and its Head Teacher, Mr Arthur Hicks.
He worked briefly as a student teacher prior to joining the Royal Australian Air Force and resumed his career with the Education Department in 1946. After completing his training first at Melbourne Teachers College and then the University of Melbourne, he began work as a secondary teacher at Rochester Higher Elementary School. Service at Ballarat East, Dimboola, Wangaratta, Tallangatta and Birchip High Schools followed, the last two as inaugural Principal, before returning to Rochester High School as Principal. In 1972 he was appointed Regional Director of Education, Gippsland.
He visited USA, Canada, Britain and Europe in 1975 to study trends in education, and on his return became a leader in promoting community education programmes and the greater involvement of parents in schools.
In all his work Len received great support from his wife Doreen and daughters: Melinda, Christine, Kerry and Angelene.
Len’s contributions as an educational leader and as a citizen was recognised officially on many occasions, not least the unanimous decision in 1978 of his professional colleagues to inaugurate the annual Len Falk Lecture. He was awarded the MBE in the 1982 New Year’s Honour’s List.
A man for his time and for the future, Len believed passionately in the value of education and the need for greater numbers to complete the full six years of secondary education. He knew that the most important people in schools are the students, and fought to ensure their interests remained paramount. It was his special pleasure and pride to serve poor and disadvantaged schools.
Len earned the enthusiastic support and affection of those with whom he worked – his lofty vision never failing to inspire.