LIBBY Whitbread, of Amaroo School, has been named the inaugural recipient of the Hilary Brettell Scholarship for young history teachers.

A teacher of two years, Libby says she believes speaking about enjoying the challenges and opportunities each of her classes provide, gave an edge to her application for the $1000 scholarship awarded by the ACT History Teachers’ Association.

“I also discussed how I am passionate about ensuring students are aware of the past so they can learn from it, and critically think about the current events given our socio-political environment,” she says.

“I guess those things maybe indicated that I was a good person to give this opportunity to, and to help keep the legacy of Hilary alive.”

Hilary Brettell was “much loved, a passionate educator, a brilliant teacher and a real mentor,” says president of the ACT History Teachers’ Association (ACTHTA), Ann Parry.

Hilary began teaching in 1979, and came to Canberra in 1991, where she taught at Belconnen High School, Stromlo High School and Narrabundah College.

She retired in 2015, and died in 2019 from breast cancer.

The association wanted to do something to keep Hilary’s memory alive.

“The idea came up that we could fund a scholarship every year for an early career teacher to go to the History Teachers’ Association of Australia’s (HTAA) National Conference,” says Ann.

The conference, in Darwin from September 30 to October 3, aims to foster an interest in teaching history. It’s a terrific opportunity for a young teacher to see and speak with top-level history teachers in the country, says Ann.

“I’ve always just been so passionate about learning about the past, and I’m so looking forward to going to Darwin,” says Libby.

“I would have probably gone anyway to the conference, but this is just another, easier way for me to get there and enjoy my time, and learn from more experienced colleagues of mine to be able to best support my students.

“I just want to say thank you to the ACT History Teachers’ Association, and I’m looking forward to keeping, what I have been told, is a very amazing teacher’s legacy alive.”

Hilary’s sons, Andrew and Hugh Dunbar, were there when Libby was awarded the scholarship and say their mum would have been delighted to know something like this was her legacy.

“Teaching meant a lot to her, changing the lives of young people, so I think it would have been really, really special to her to know that she can have such an impact on a young teacher who is transitioning into teaching,” says Andy.

And Hugh agrees, saying he wishes she could’ve been there to see it.

“She was so involved with us. She used to umpire our cricket, fundraise for rugby, everything that we ever did she was a part of and that was the same as her teaching. She just wanted to be a part of helping kids,” says Hugh.

“She was very much a community minded person, it was always about what she could do to help other people,” says Andy.