Cover image for Athol Vere Gough (a V Gough)
Agency:
Athol Vere Gough (a V Gough)
Agency Number:
Start Date:
26 Oct 1916
End Date:
29 Dec 1996
Description:
Athol Vere Gough was born in 1916 in Lottah, North Eastern Tasmania to Walter and Amelia (nee Sculthorpe). Gough attended Launceston State High School where he excelled at a range of sports including cricket and football. ;;A talented student, Gough received the University prize for geography and economics in his final year at high school. At age 16 he was accepted as a Junior Teacher, taking on the role of headmaster at the 20 pupil school Golden Valley. In 1935 after several years in country teaching, Gough, a recipient of the Sir Philip Fysh scholarship, attended the Philip Smith Teacher Training College. After College Gough was posted to Charles Street, West Devonport, and Campbell Street. He was conferred a BA from the University of Tasmania in 1942, and started his first head teacher role in 1947 at Forest Area School. From there he went to Exeter Area School and Sheffield Area School. In 1957, after two years as Headmaster with G V Brooks, Gough took on the role of principal of the Launceston Teachers College. In 1958 he also took on the additional role of district superintendent, in 1959 staff superintendent, and senior superintendent in 1961. Gough described this period as the most personally enjoyable of his career.;;In 1962 Gough was appointed Deputy Director of Education, and was Director General of Education from 1966 until his retirement in 1978. As Director General of Education Gough commissioned major reviews of secondary and primary education and district schools. He had a particular interest in school architecture, advocating for more open plan design, and a passion for ongoing professional development for teachers. Gough also played a lead role in the establishment of the Tasmanian College of Advanced Education (TA252). ;;In 1968 Gough commenced a major overseas study tour investigating educational methods in England, Scotland, Canada and the US. In 1977 he led an Australian delegation to a Commonwealth Education conference in Accra, Ghana. Gough was a Member and Deputy Chairman of the Council of Advanced Education (TA253), a Member of the University Council, and was made an Officer of the Order of Australia in 1979 for public service to education. ;;Gough married fellow teacher Winifred Gladys Roberts in 1939, and they had four children - Judith, John, Michael, and Phillip. Athol Gough died aged 80, 29/12/1996.
Information Sources:
Examiner 16/01/1997 p.10, 16/5/1942, p.4; Mercury 20/01/1997 p.10, 23/3/1933, p.5; TAHO: ED329/1/226 (H5) - Interview with Athol Gough, 19/09/1985; Williamson, John, The Preparation of Teachers in Tasmania. Accessed online 2019
Series Created By Agency:
NS6401 Memorabilia01 Jan 193031 Dec 1956

NS6400 Photographs - Sporting Teams01 Jan 193131 Dec 1938

NS4340 Working Papers06 Mar 198731 Dec 1989