List the people you admire and look to for advice…
THE ONE OUTSTANDING
A 77-year-old man meets quite a few people who offer support. The standout person for me was our first Director of Education in the Northern Territory, Dr Jim Eedle.
In 1989, Dr Eedle spoke to all principals at a conference in Katherine. We were school leaders of schools that now came under the mantle of NT control he told us. We needed to set a course for the future.
His advice to us was to ALWAYS remember that “schools are for children”. To that end system structure and school organisation should always support that prime function.
I was a young principal and a still developing educator at the time. But those words and that advice remained front and centre of my thinking and actions until my retirement.
Dr Eedle has passed to his rest, but his words had an everlasting impact and helped me prioritise and retain focus on my educational perspectives.
EDUCATION, A LIFE FORCE 
Hello Henry.
I’m Jim Eedle’s #2 son David. This is a lovely and moving tribute. I’ve just shared with my siblings, and I know all four of us are very grateful for you sharing this memory of Dad. We miss him very much, but knowing there are people such as yourself who still hold dear his words all these years later is very moving.
David
Dear David
The ambition your Father had for the development of education in the NT was second to none. I was always glad he influenced my thinking and helped me establish the important priorities of what education should be about. If you could flick me an email address to henry.gray7@icloud.com I would be happy to share other writings that recognise your Dad – a man for whom I gave the hugest respect.
Regards
Henry Gray
Thanks Henry. I have emailed you.