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Mrs Jan Heaslip OAM

Jan's tenacity together with her vision of the College ensured the day school would succeed.

Jan first became involved with ºÚÁÏÍø’s when it was a hostel in 1974, representing children from the bush who needed a spokesperson with the hostel. Jan was the first Chairman of the College Council.

Together with Chris Tudor they became a formidable team, ensuring the idea of a day school for isolated and town children became a reality and they developed the day school. Jan is also a life member of the Isolated Children’s Parents' Association and was the inaugural NT President.

During this period of growth and transition, Jan also sat on many Education Boards and is an Honorary Fellow of the Association of Independent Schools and was the Chairman of the School of the Air Parents’ Association for many years.

Jan is also involved in tourism, opening Bond Springs Station for groups and accommodation in 1988. The station has many historic and Heritage buildings and received a National Trust Award for the ‘Contribution in Preserving the Historic Values of Bond Springs Old Homestead Buildings.’

Other organisations have also recognised Jan's contributtions to the community. She has received the Zonta Club of Alice Springs award ‘Woman of Achievement,’ and the Rotary Foundation and Rotary International ‘Paul Harris Fellow.’

Jan is a Life Governor of the College and is still very involved and interested in the activities of College, and together with her family, still operate Bond Springs Station. In 1992 Jan was awarded an OAM for her services to the children of the Outback.