Joanne Pegg joins local honour roll

Published on 09 March 2022

Hepburn Shire Council has named Joanne Pegg as the 2022 inductee of the Heather Mutimer Honour Roll, recognising her tireless work for social inclusion and inclusive learning in the Shire.

Ms Pegg was inducted to the honour roll last night at a special event in Daylesford on International Women’s Day attended by around 100 people.

Mayor, Cr Tim Drylie, said Joanne has changed the lives of many people, particularly in her role as Principal of Bullarto Primary School and her support for students who are on the fringes of mainstream learning.

“Jo has been a teacher since 1999, and a principal of small schools for six years. Her success in cultivating an inclusive and supportive environment at Bullarto Primary School has led to enrolments increasing from four students in 2018 to 22 this year,” said Cr Drylie.

“Jo advocated for Bullarto Primary School to be one of ten schools in the southwestern region to pilot the Inclusion in Schools Program in 2018. The program aided in the review of funding for additional needs students in Victoria.From the success of the program a new funding model for inclusion will commence this year,” he said.

“Jo has also empowered parents of children with additional needs to have a voice, to be proud, and to advocate for their child. “Council is very pleased to be able to recognise Jo’s contribution to our community, and she is certainly a worthy inductee onto the honour roll.”

Attendees at the International Women’s Day event heard from a range of speakers including Aunty Marilyne Nicholls, Chief Executive Officer of the Otis Foundation Claire Culley, Daylesford College students Alice Dennis, Lucy Muscat and a performance by Lily Austin.

The Heather Mutimer Honour Roll was established in 2005 to pay tribute to the women in Hepburn Shire whose contribution, courage and example have led to significant social change for women.