Thank You, Esther Robartson
Few contributors to Adventist Education, within Western Australia, stand out more radiantly than Miss Robartson. Over her long career, Esther served in many schools, both public and Christian, and she had a profound influence over thousands of lives. She will always be remembered as an amazing, positive contributor who made a real difference in the lives of others to whom she was teacher, dean, colleague or friend.
In her dealings with the young and old, Esther demonstrated the textbook standard for balancing fairness, firmness and friendliness. She knew how to effectively pull a lively, ten-year old boy into line while maintaining a friendly, personal and enduring relationship with him. She consistently displayed an authentic, personal interest in everyone around her and consequently developed a multitude of life-long friendships. Highly respected by her colleagues, Esther was always a valued team member for her wit and wisdom and contributed consistently well beyond the call to duty.
Following her 1956 graduation from Claremont Teachers’ College, Esther’s career commenced in the rural town of Salmon Gums, in the eastern wheatbelt of Western Australia. There she taught unassisted with 52 lower-primary aged students for two years. From there she returned to her hometown of Merredin where she completed her four-year bond with the State Education Department. Esther then joined the Adventist school system and served in Wiluna and Karalundi. In 1965 and 1966 Esther served in PNG as a teacher and as a dean to a dormitory of 100 girls at Kambubu. Esther then returned to Western Australia and taught for nine years in Adventist schools, including Victoria Park. After a few short years of leave of absence, Esther taught at the Bickley Adventist School where she also served as principal. Then, after three years of serving at Carmel College as Dean of Women, Esther returned to Merredin to care for her elderly parents while she also taught locally. In 1994 Esther accepted the role of principal at the Esperance Adventist School where she served until her retirement at the end of 2000. Not being one to sit idle, Esther then travelled to Galway, in the Republic of Ireland, where, for five further years she taught in that country’s only protestant school and ended up serving there as headmistress. Upon returning to Merredin in 2005, Esther, in her eventual retirement, became heavily involved in her community with an unsurprising emphasis on service to others.
Throughout her life, Esther encouraged and demonstrated Christian values. Her faith was strong and her trust in her Saviour unwavering. She expressed openly an appreciation of having had such a wonderful life, and one that was filled with loving family and friends. Esther was indeed a lady of trust, faith and hope, and despite her passing, continues to serve as an encouragement and an inspiration to us all. Adventist Schools were greatly blessed by the immense contribution of Miss Robartson, and today continue to offer meaningful, values-based learning from Christian teachers who share Esther’s passion.
