In 1948 Margaret Reid joined the Education Department as a Student Teacher at Commercial Road School, Morwell.
1949-1950 saw Margaret in residence at Melbourne Teachers' College where she completed T.P.T.C. and T.I.T.C.
After leaving college, Margaret took up her first permanent teaching appointment as an assistant at Yinnar, then a two teacher school. Leaving Yinnar in July, 1953, she spent the next two years at Grey Street, Traralgon.
Margaret left that school in September 1955 and headed for the "big smoke".
First city appointment was to Murray Road, West Preston, where the Infant Mistress was the welI-known and well-loved Miss Ruby Smith.
First promotion came in 1957 when Margaret took up class 111 position at Thomastown, where in 1958 she taught 70 preps - the largest grade in the school. Next promotion in 1959 was to South Preston as class 11 assistant.
Margaret has been an outstanding principal and since her retirement a wonderful member instrumental in establishing the then RVPPA in 1988.
She has served the organisation in many capacities including a number of years as President.
In 1964, Margaret rose to the exalted heights of a class 1 Infant Mistress at Merlynston school in Bakers Road, North Coburg. During the time spent here, Margaret received the nomination for Coburg District for the Lilian Horner prize.
Next promotion came in 1969, when Margaret became Special Class Infant Mistress at Duffy Street, Reservoir. During the three years spent at Duffy Street, Margaret was President of' the Infant Mistresses Club - an annex of the V.T.U. Women's Branch. In 1972, she transferred to Nunawading P.S. and in March of that same year managed to obtain Suitable Principa1 Special Class mark.
Margaret became Principal at Temp1estowe Valley in 1974.
It was a wonderfu1 school and quite unique as it is the only valley situated on the top of a hill. One of the great delights of the school was the amount of parent involvement in all activities. It was also blessed with many fantastic members of staff.
In February 1987 Margaret retired from Templestowe Valley thus ending 39 years service with the Education Department.
First introduction to VPPA was the conference at Lorne in 1974. In 1975 Margaret helped to found the Doncaster Group, which was the first Metropolitan Group to be established. She was elected Vice-President in 1976 and held that position continuously until December 1981. She also served as its Membership Officer in 1980 – 81.
Margaret served on the Primary Teachers’ Registration Board and the Teachers’ Registration Council from 1979 to 1981 as Principal Representative. She also worked on Advisory committee for V.I.S.E.C. and S.I.S.E.C., which was chaired by Mr. Bert Sloane, A.D. Primary Division and served as deputy member on V.I.S.E.C. Committee.
Attended A.P.P.A. Conferences in Sydney, 1976; Brisbane, 1977; Perth, 1978; Melbourne, 1979; Canberra, 1980; and visited Darwin in 1981 as an observer. Acted as secretary for the A.P.P.A. Conference held in Melbourne in 1979. Appointed as Convener of Victorian Chapter of A.P.P.A. at the end of 1981.
Margaret has been awarded a Life Membership of both the V.P.P.A. (2004) and the R.V.P.P.A. (2003) in recognition of her outstanding contribution to Primary Principal colleagues before and after their retirement.
Margaret remains a very active member of the Committee. Her experience and insight is invaluable.