All schools rely on support staff who work behind the scenes. Each of their roles allow for the smooth running and development of the school, and one who will be leaving an enduring mark in her retirement is Director of Marketing, Jean Christie.

Jean initially joined us as a member of the St Ann’s College Library team in 1986, filling what was meant to be a 12-month maternity leave contract. Jean reflects, “There were no computers. There were typewriters, and catalogue cards in little drawers. The Internet was an encyclopaedia set.”

As she leaves, Jean notes the stark contrast of today’s school Library. “There are kids making flight simulators, another group next to them are 3D printing the tools they had designed for people with arthritis, and heaps more.”

Before joining us at Emmanuel, Jean had been working at the State Library of Victoria. Jean recalls, “We had some interesting people coming in there. Like Germain Greer when she was writing a book about her father. She would duck over to the counter to ask if we had a cricket score.”

Other interesting pursuits of her pre-Emmanuel life include working as a Melbourne tram driver, and a freelance mural painter - her work adorning the walls of several Queensland schools.

It is clear that right from the beginning of her time at Emmanuel, that Jean had fallen in love with the school. For Jean, it had a different feel to other communities she had lived and worked in before. One of the more obvious differences was the faith at the centre of the community. She highlights, “Not being a Catholic, I had to go to Mass, and I thought this is a bit strange. But I came to appreciate it. I can remember that I went to a non-catholic school graduation and I felt that it was bit lacking in meaning, because I was so used to the ritual of Mass. It’s a comforting thing. So no matter what’s going on, there’s still that time to stop.”

While Jean served for many years in the Library, it was the appointment of Principal, Peter Griffin, that gave her the space to serve the school in a whole new way.

“He was an amazing person.” Jean says, “He must have got a photo and studied everyone’s face and name, because by the time he arrived at school he could greet everyone by name. He had the same qualities that Father Lawrie has in remembering names.

“He came to spend time with me and he said, ‘people tell me that you’re interested in doing marketing and you’ve got ideas and you’d like to have a go. So I would like you to have a go.’ “

And Jean did have a go.

At the time, enrolments at the school were at an all time low. Jean could see that Emmanuel was a wonderful school, it just wasn’t putting its best foot forward. “I think I was a part of a number of factors that helped increase our enrolment to help make our school sustainable.” Jean explains. “You have to have something worth marketing.”

Jean flourished in the role, and what was a part-time marketing and part-time library technician role, slowly moved into a full time marketing role. Emmanuel also supported Jean in various ways to gain marketing qualifications, which eventually saw Jean achieve her Masters.

Jean's work also attracted the attention of National and International School bodies. When asked, she humbly admits, “I did win some awards for the prospectus. It was just like a good affirmation that you’re giving the best information. I don’t like being in the spotlight generally.”

Her most recent piece of recognition came during Catholic Education Week in 2018, when the Ballarat Diocese awarded her the Catholic Leadership Award. She believes that this award mostly recognised the work she had completed in bringing together our local network of Catholic schools. Jean explains, “In terms of marketing, it recognised our schools having a system of cooperation. Working together, instead of competing against each other. And together we get the cost benefits of being a single entity in terms of advertising and promotional materials.”

Jean was behind the writing up of a marketing strategy for the Network, and developing the messaging for the public.

Throughout her time at the College, as the woman behind the camera at events, Jean has worked for seven different Principals, watched the unfolding of the amalgamation, and been in the front row as the College went from having its lowest level of enrolments to its highest. So who better to author a book celebrating the College’s 150-year history?

“When you’ve been in a place so long, they become like your other family. Like a large extended family. You’ve got grumpy aunties and eccentric uncles. Through the writing of the book I’ve learned that some of these grumpy aunties and eccentric uncles have been working quietly behind the scenes. They have just been doing extra, and giving extra, and changing people’s lives. People you wouldn’t expect. Whether it’s just helping someone with literacy, or extending someone who wants to excel or develop in an area that they are passionate about. Or just helping someone who doesn’t feel that they fit in. Most of the time, they never get to know the impact that they’ve had.” Jean comments.

The book is really just the final legacy that Jean leaves the College. Her work will also have an enduring influence when we look at the House logos she designed, or recall the play performed at the Emmanuel Centre Opening, or celebrate the next group of Inspiring Alumni inductees. She insists “I was never prevented from having a go, I was always encouraged.”

While she leaves Emmanuel today in a state where it is thriving, Jean believes that it’s really important that we don’t rest on our laurels, and to never take people for granted.

“I always felt proud to work at Emmanuel.” She says.