Turning points: October 07 – Maria Pender

Four people share the life-changing moments that took their lives in directions they never would have anticipated. By Josephine Brouard and Karren Spresser.

Maria Pender, 61, says going back to school completely changed her life.

“I left school when I was 14. Both my parents were in hospital and I had to look after myself. In those days, unless you had money, you couldn’t go on to do anything else with your life, such as continue your education, so I had to get a job.

“I got married and had two children. I also used to look after other children  − those of people who worked − in my home as well at that time. That’s how I made a bit of money; it was like family day care, but before it was even invented. I also had to look after my mother who was blind.

“When I was 30, I read in the newspaper that people who hadn’t had much education could still have a career. So I went to the Department of Labour and Industry and did a test, followed by an interview and then I got into teachers’ college. I was 31 when I started.

“Going to college was a life-changing experience for me. I did three years of full-time study as a mature-age student and graduated. I was able to do this because (former prime minister) Gough Whitlam made education free and I actually got paid an allowance to go back to school.

“I just loved teachers’ college and I became an obsessive student. I had to give up a lot because I really had to work very hard – I didn’t know how to study or even what I was able to achieve. When I would leave to catch the bus to go home each day, I would have to change roles from student to wife, mother and daughter. I had to worry about dinner and look after my family.

“It was as if somebody upstairs looked down and said: ‘This person has to have a life or a career because all these things are going to happen to her.’

“My children, who were 10 and 11 at the time, were very proud of me and my husband was incredibly supportive. He was Aboriginal and hadn’t had much schooling either. He was part of the stolen generation and I tried to support his growth and development as well.

“When I was 35 and in my second year of teaching, my husband died suddenly. It was very difficult, but I was lucky I had my job. I went on to get a Bachelor of Education degree in early childhood teaching and then, when I was 50, I did my Masters degree in Adult Education.

“I’m now the director of a community-based childcare centre. I started work here 22 years ago, when the centre opened, and I’m still here. I think I have an affinity with young children. They give me love and it is so unconditional and something very special. You don’t know how much you need it until you get it.

“When I started teachers’ college I think I got to know what independence was. And I think I got to know who I was. I didn’t know I had a spirit or an identity before that. I was just somebody’s wife, mother, daughter.

“A whole lot of things have kept me here at the childcare centre. When I first started, I thought I wouldn’t stay more than three to five years, but we’ve had lots of challenges along the way.

“The centre has grown and I belong to quite a few different organisations. I feel because this centre is autonomous (it’s not run by the council or the church, for example), I can say things a lot of other people can’t say in terms of government policy and stuff like that. I feel I have a voice.

“Last year, after 21 years, the local council gave me an Australia Day award for community service and that was a big achievement. I didn’t ask for it – I didn’t even know it was happening until I got an invitation. One of my staff had put forward the nomination.

“At the centre there are now seven staff studying, so, as an adult educator as well, I feel as though I’m still able to mentor and encourage people to move to that next step – to change their lives.

“There is another side to my life, too: I’m very involved in a patchwork and quilting group. I’ve been a member for the past 12 years and we make quilts for the community. That’s the other half of my life: it’s about patchwork and it’s very much a passion.

“I plan to retire when I’m 65. I’m looking forward to that. Then I want to be doing my patchwork at a much greater level − I want to be able to teach patchwork and run classes and work with older people. I really feel I’m doing what I was meant to do.”

 

Photography: Scott Hawkins. Styling: Sinead O’Shea. Hair & make-up: David Novak-Piper.