Vale Keith Rogers

By Contributed

Jan 2, 2024

Remembering Keith: Benalla High School staff 1992. (Back row) Wasyk Bihun, Don Varcoe, Ron Cockroft, Chris Keast, Robin Close, John Oakley, Dave Robson, Alan Moore, Ken McFarlane, Trish Burns, Jenny Forrest. (Third row) Marg Sneddon, Terry Case, Brenden Watson, Greg Beard, Lorna Hobbs, Shirley McFarland, Terry O'Donnell, Lyn Hunter, Peter Randall, Robyn Landvogt, Jill Falla. (Second row) Anne Forster, Joan Harris, Jenny Sievwright, Erica Lowing, Sue Brearley, Fay Donnelly, Viv Martin, Sue Oakley, Gill McIntosh, Sharlene Malloy, Cheryl Garratt, Helen Cochrane, Margaret Shields, Yvonne Baker. (Front row) Avis Jordan, Anne Irwin, Laurel Clarke, Alexana Harrow, Jo Wise, Keith Rogers, Laura Gregory, Jan Paton, Wendy Baker and Liz Hanger. Photo by Contributed

This obituary has been penned by Mary Lou Keogh, Liz Levy and Jo Wise.

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The many former staff and alumni of Benalla High School and Benalla College will be saddened to learn of the passing of Keith Rogers.

Keith passed away at Benalla Hospital on Sunday, December 10.

Keith came to Benalla High School in 1975 as a commerce teacher and senior teacher.

He was appointed acting principal of Benalla High School in1983, and then principal from 1986-1993.

He was, in fact, the last principal of Benalla High School as the school amalgamated with Benalla Technical School in 1994, becoming Benalla College.

Keith’s contribution to the school was not just in the academic area, he loved to strut the boards and played memorable and major roles in school productions including Bill Sykes in Oliver and Squire Allworthy in Tom Jones.

Always at the centre of school life, he enjoyed a ready rapport. His office door was always open.

He also opened his home and many a Christmas party was celebrated with Heather and Keith’s gracious hospitality.

Keith was dedicated to state secondary education, and Benalla High School thrived under his leadership.

He was a colleague, mentor and friend to many staff who valued his supportive and inclusive leadership.

This leadership style encouraged innovation and mutual respect, and Keith supported his staff both publicly and privately.

He was also passionate about students striving for excellence and was very proud of the achievements of students, recognising that success can come in many forms.

In the 1984 ‘Benalla highlights’ he wrote:

• A school is really about the educational program it offers and the people involved working towards a common goal. Benalla High School is most fortunate to have such a dedicated and energetic staff who are concerned with providing the most appropriate and best educational program for the students in their care. The students have responded — although there are a few exceptions — and are a credit to the school. But it is not just the winners who have contributed to the outstanding tone of Benalla High School, but those students who compete without winning, who study with modest success and who carry out school duties quietly and without fuss. It is those people who are a credit to the school.

These are words truly reflected in Keith’s legacy to Benalla education.

He will be sadly missed and we offer sincere sympathy to Heather and his son David.

Vale Keith Rogers.