| Don Goodsir OAM |
|
|---|---|
| Born | Donald Henry Goodsir 21 May 1937 Haberfield, New South Wales |
| Died | 6 October 2010 (aged 73) |
| Cause of death | Cancer |
| Residence | Mosman, New South Wales |
| Nationality | Australian |
| Education | Bachelor of Arts |
| Alma mater | University of Sydney |
| Occupation | Teacher, administrator |
| Years active | 1956–2010 |
| Employer | NSW Department of Education and Training |
| Known for | Environmentalism |
| Notable works | Gould League books on Australian birds and mammals |
| Religion | Anglican |
| Spouse | Julie (nee Ferguson) |
| Children | Kathryn, Naomi and Ben |
| Parents | Harry, Molly (nee Moore) |
| Awards | Medal of the Order of Australia |
Donald Henry "Don" Goodsir OAM (21 May 1937 – 6 October 2010) was an Australian teacher, school administrator, author and environmentalist.
Contents |
Goodsir was born in Haberfield, New South Wales on 21 May 1937 to Harry (a maintenance engineer) and Molly Goodsir. He was educated at Haberfield Primary School, Fort Street Boys' High School and William Balmain Teachers' College.[1]
At the age of 18, Goodsir was appointed to a one-room school at Bulby Brush School near Krambach, New South Wales, the same school attended earlier by Australian poet Les Murray.[2]
After three years Goodsir returned to Sydney where he taught while completing an Arts degree at the University of Sydney. After teaching in England for three years, he served as principal at public schools in North Sydney, Lindfield, Maroubra Junction and Mosman. Frustrated that books on birds focussed on North American species, he approached the Gould League and wrote the text for two books, on Australian birds and mammals.[1]
Goodsir went on to become an inspector of schools in Coonabarabran and a director of schools for Woollahra.[3]
Following his retirement in 1994, Goodsir undertook many voluntary community roles including:
Goodsir also served as a volunteer teacher training adviser in Thailand, Kiribati and, while suffering from cancer, the Solomon Islands.[1]