Mr Douglas Grasso
Mr Douglas Grasso
Mr Douglas Grasso
Create successful ePaper yourself
Turn your PDF publications into a flip-book with our unique Google optimized e-Paper software.
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES<br />
PROOF<br />
Federation Chamber<br />
CONSTITUENCY STATEMENTS<br />
<strong>Grasso</strong>, <strong>Mr</strong> <strong>Douglas</strong><br />
SPEECH<br />
Monday, 18 June 2012<br />
BY AUTHORITY OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Monday, 18 June 2012 HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 122<br />
SPEECH<br />
Date Monday, 18 June 2012<br />
Page 122<br />
Questioner<br />
Speaker Simpkins, Luke, MP<br />
Source House<br />
Proof Yes<br />
Responder<br />
Question No.<br />
<strong>Mr</strong> SIMPKINS (Cowan) (10:54): Hudson Park Primary School is located in Girrawheen, a suburb in Cowan.<br />
For most of its existence it was known as Girrawheen Primary School, but it was in recent times renamed Hudson<br />
Park. The children of Hudson Park Primary School are challenged by the lower socioeconomic circumstances<br />
of the suburb of Girrawheen. However, it is fortunate that the staff at the school are totally committed to the<br />
children and believe that each one of them has a great future. As is usual with schools in these situations, despite<br />
the challenges that the schools face you will often find long-serving teachers that have devoted themselves to<br />
providing opportunities for the children. Dedicated teaching together with understanding and patience provides<br />
positive learning environments. It is about one such teacher I would like to speak.<br />
At the start of July 2010 the school underwent a dramatic change. It was the retirement of long-serving principal<br />
Doug <strong>Grasso</strong>, who had spent 16½ years at the school as principal. His retirement was at the end of 41 years as<br />
an educator. When asked about his retirement, Doug <strong>Grasso</strong> said:<br />
“I love being able to watch kids grow and develop as individuals … I found with teaching, the more I did it,<br />
the more I liked it.”<br />
Today I wish to speak of former principal Doug <strong>Grasso</strong>. Unfortunately, Doug passed away yesterday after a<br />
fairly short illness—a tragic illness. I take this opportunity to pay tribute to his profound influence on the lives<br />
of thousands of students that passed through the school during his leadership. I asked for comments from those<br />
who knew him well, or knew him better than I did. It is heartening to appreciate how well he was regarded.<br />
Terri Reid, the principal of the Karrinyup Primary School and a former colleague, said of Doug that he was a<br />
true gentleman, always solutions focused, an absolute pleasure to work with and an inspiring role model as a<br />
great principal and a great human being. Janet Straker, a teacher for 10 years at the school, said of Doug that he<br />
was always kind, fair and compassionate with children, staff and parents. He never showed anger or frustration<br />
with even the most challenging of students. He was extremely supportive of staff professionally and personally.<br />
He also had a wicked sense of humour. Former registrar Barbara Blake said that Doug always worked hard to<br />
get all the difficult students to be the best they could be. Barbara informed me that Doug gained the respect of<br />
all students, including those who had been suspended from other schools or who had difficulties, because he<br />
demonstrated that he cared for them and believed in them. The result was children that were better behaved,<br />
learning more and liking their school experience.<br />
It is little wonder that a couple of years ago, when Doug left Hudson Park and full-time leadership as a principal,<br />
the children made and donned hats that reflected Doug's diminished hairline. That was reported in the local<br />
newspaper. The guy was simply a legend in Girrawheen—a great role model and a brilliant educator—and his<br />
educational legacy will live on for a generation to come. The community most certainly salutes his influence.<br />
CHAMBER