05/06/2026
With 35 years’ experience teaching History in Queensland state schools, Darlene has dedicated her career to encouraging her students to see History as an investigation into people, cultures, beliefs and the human experience, rather than memorising dates and events.
‘History education is incredibly important because it develops informed, thoughtful and empathetic young people,’ she says.
As Head of Department for Humanities and Library at Kepnock State High School in our North Coast Region, Darlene recently collaborated with authors Frane Lessac and Mark Greenwood on a World War I project. Students are researching Bundaberg’s soldiers and nurses and will eventually see their work published in a commemorative book shared with the Sir John Monash Centre!
‘Experiences like this broaden students’ horizons and help them understand that stories from regional Queensland matter on a global stage.’
Darlene’s passion doesn’t stop there. For the past four years, she has championed the Coral Coast Literature Festival, giving regional students opportunities to learn from nationally-recognised authors and illustrators. She’s also had unforgettable experiences like chaperoning the Premier’s ANZAC Prize Tour to Europe and participating in the Gandel Holocaust Studies Program, which she says shaped her teaching journey.
Reflecting on her career highlights, Darlene shared her remarkable experience excavating Egyptian tombs with renowned Egyptologist Professor Naguib Kanawati. 🏺
‘Standing in tombs thousands of years old, uncovering artefacts, and engaging directly with evidence of the past reinforced for me the importance of inquiry, curiosity and discovery in education.’
Back home, Darlene ensures her students understand the remarkable history of their own community. Whether it’s uncovering the local community’s ties to World War II often hidden within local memorials, beaches, museums and communities, or sharing stories of local World War heroes, Darlene loves showing her students that ‘ordinary Queenslanders lived extraordinary lives worthy of remembrance.’
Her exceptional contributions to History education across the state have not gone unnoticed. In 2025 she was awarded Outstanding History Educator by the Queensland History Teachers Association.
Are you ready to shape the future by bringing the past to life? Explore history teaching opportunities in Queensland state schools by talking with our teacher recruitment team: https://app4.vision6.com.au/em/forms/subscribe.php?db=892207&s=987339&a=71652&k=1%2CADa2AvZSXFynTWdzSA8ut1D9uiAEuCq7go6Bp5fyc4g
