Shane Willsmore

Shane Willsmore

Born in time to see man walk on the moon, although probably didn’t, as parents wouldn’t have owned a TV at the time. A 5th generation South Australian of English and Scottish stock, desperately seeking a possible cameleer ancestor in the 1850’s, I was brought up in the Adelaide Hills, attending Uraidla Primary and Heathfield High Schools. Highlights and memories include arriving at school in 1983, the day after Australia won the America’s Cup to find teachers still at school from a party the night before; being the only Year 12 PES student to attend the school Ski Trip in 1986 (I realised later the others were studying); holding and attending a number of memorable parties; and learning to drive in an XY Falcon on the narrowest and windiest roads in the country.

Snuck through Year 12 after a week holed up in a caravan revising for exams, and next stop Sturt College of Advanced Education (later eaten by Flinders University) to study Upper Primary / Lower Secondary Teaching. Cave Bar, cheating from girls in the Library, another great Ski Trip, and we’re off teaching!

First job was at Morgan Primary School, offered by the mother of my then girlfriend, who was a staffing officer (think she was trying to establish some distance), where I lived on crusty bread, bananas, 2 minute noodles and baked beans for 12 months. Teaching stints in Port Augusta and Whyalla followed, where I learnt to never face the blackboard, had a great social and sporting life, and met my future wife.

Then, back to the city in 1998 at Seaford 6-12 School, played in 2 footy premierships at the Ironbank Thunderers, and got married to my wonderful wife. I then moved schools to Hamilton Secondary in Mitchell Park, we had a son, and then onto Charles Campbell in Paradise.  We then built a house, had another son, and became settled in the wonderful Federal Seat of Sturt. There were other things, being an Assistant Principal for 5 years, coaching kids footy, playing some SuperRules and Touch Footy, but I think you get the picture.