Valerie Hazel Torning O.A.M., M.A.I.W.
My mother, Valerie Torning, was one of
those amazing people who lived by the adage that no matter what life throws at
you, you just pull yourself up by your boot straps and get on with it. She came
from very humble and somewhat sad beginnings that I won’t go into. Suffice it say, she was a fighter. Mum did her time in the
School of Hard Knocks.
Val and Stan married in 1943 and had 4 children |
Leaving school at the age of 15, Valerie achieved so much in 76 years, it’s quite staggering.
Let me list some for you.
Life
Married at 19 and had 4 children
Ran 1st Belfield Cubs for 3 years. Dad was Scoutmaster
Brownie Guider for 8 years and Correspondence Trainer for Country Guiders Association for 2 years
Founded and became the Captain of Yagoona Sea Rangers
Degrees and Courses
Completed a 1 year course in Journalism
Completed a 3 year course in Interior Design
Completed a 4 year course in Social Welfare
Completed a 3 year course for Graduate Diploma in Social Communication at Hawkesbury Agricultural College
Awards
Awarded the Order of Australia Medal for services to the Community and Education
Received Citizen of the Year at the Bankstown New Year’s Day Awards
Received Servant of Christ Award from the Lutheran Church of Australia
Boards and Committees
Member of the Social Welfare Committee of the Lutheran Church
3 Years with the NSW Marriage Counsel
Women in Local Government
Board for Lutheran Church Welfare Committee
Invited to join the NSW Board for Adult Education and served 4 years
Chairman of the Bankstown Evening College
Chairman of the Sefton Adult Learning Centre
Teaching
Taught Social Communication at Bankstown Evening College as well as a class of Mentally Handicapped Young People
Conducted weekend workshops on Social Communication and Creative Writing
Taught Public Speaking
Other Involvements
Justice of the Peace
Spent time on the Mission Beat van picking up the homeless. Mum completed a written project during this time which was often used in training workshops
In 1971 became a full member of the Institute of Welfare M.A.I.W.
Life
Married at 19 and had 4 children
Ran 1st Belfield Cubs for 3 years. Dad was Scoutmaster
Brownie Guider for 8 years and Correspondence Trainer for Country Guiders Association for 2 years
Founded and became the Captain of Yagoona Sea Rangers
Degrees and Courses
Completed a 1 year course in Journalism
Completed a 3 year course in Interior Design
Completed a 4 year course in Social Welfare
Completed a 3 year course for Graduate Diploma in Social Communication at Hawkesbury Agricultural College
Jobs
Worked as a consultant for British and Pam Paints
Worked as a Kitchen Designer
Worked as Welfare Officer for Chester Hill Community
Aid Service for 6 years
Worked 1 year with the Detox Unit (Alcohol) of
Sydney City Mission
Worked as part time Social Worker and co-ordinator
at Mt Druitt Community Care
Worked for 1 year with Salvation Army Units, mainly
in Prisons
Worked as Supervisor of the Leichhardt Methodist
Missions Sheltered Workshop
Awarded the Order of Australia Medal for services to the Community and Education
Received Citizen of the Year at the Bankstown New Year’s Day Awards
Received Servant of Christ Award from the Lutheran Church of Australia
Boards and Committees
Member of the Social Welfare Committee of the Lutheran Church
3 Years with the NSW Marriage Counsel
Mum receiving the Order of Australia Medal |
Board for Lutheran Church Welfare Committee
Invited to join the NSW Board for Adult Education and served 4 years
Chairman of the Bankstown Evening College
Chairman of the Sefton Adult Learning Centre
Teaching
Taught Social Communication at Bankstown Evening College as well as a class of Mentally Handicapped Young People
Conducted weekend workshops on Social Communication and Creative Writing
Taught Public Speaking
Other Involvements
Justice of the Peace
Spent time on the Mission Beat van picking up the homeless. Mum completed a written project during this time which was often used in training workshops
In 1971 became a full member of the Institute of Welfare M.A.I.W.
Phew! I get tired just thinking about
all Valerie (Mum) achieved and believe it or not, that doesn’t cover everything. I think I'll leave it here though. Be sure to read Meet Valerie Part 2 on the blog soon.
Cheers
Mare
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