Jo Mulholland's Page

I was born in Gouda, the Netherlands. 

I am convinced that the need for growing up to become a teacher, was in my genes, judging by the 'characters' in my father's family but I always give the credit to my role-model, Mr Berretty, my Indonesian-born, primary school teacher, in the Jan Ligthartschool, Gouda. 

I love explaining how I videoed Nell, with Anneke, speaking about the book,"The Lost Sister of Groningen." and how she happened to mention that Anneke now teaches at Mascot Public School. 

The very busiest, happiest, most productive years of my 37 years as a "chalkie" were spent at that school. 

It was fun being back in the Tap Gallery, for the launch of the book, among Malcolm's art work, because I'd had my exhibition there, in 2008. 

When I came to Australia we were accommodated, after Bonegilla and Scheyville, in Villawood Hostel. There, in the nissen huts, we, at first attended school. The teacher there really was a very pleasant fellow but I love telling how he would laugh and produce a play on words, regarding my name: Joop (pronounced: Yope). He'd grin and call me "Yope the Dope". Something I would not have dared say to my pupils, in 37 years.

After those 37 years I retired slightly early, to look after my parents. Did that too long to be able to go back.

I had never planned to stop teaching. Had been convinced, that like Annette, I'd simply go to casual teaching.

Would that not have been fun. I might have ended up, back at my favourite school, Mascot P.S..