60 years of changing lives

After six decades in education, the Principal of Emerson School in Dandenong still lights up when he talks about his students. While many might point to the awards, titles or milestones, John Mooney talks about something else entirely. Confidence. Kindness. Possibility. And the moments when a young person starts believing in themselves.

It’s a philosophy that’s shaped not only his career, but also his 46-year relationship with Bank First.

To celebrate John’s remarkable contribution to education, Bank First CEO Michelle Bagnall visited Emerson School to talk about six decades of teaching, the lessons he’s learnt and the legacy he hopes to leave behind.

“It’s not a long time when you’re having fun.”

Sixty years in education is an extraordinary milestone. What has kept you coming back for six decades?

“It honestly doesn’t feel like 60 years. It’s not a long time when you’re having fun.

What has always kept me going is watching young people discover they’re capable of more than they ever imagined. When a student walks through the gates unsure of themselves and leaves believing, ‘I can do this,’ that’s what keeps you coming back.

Every year brings new students, new families and another opportunity to make a difference.”

Educaring, not just educating

One of the words that’s become synonymous with your leadership is ‘educaring’. Where did that philosophy come from?

“Education has always been about people first.

You can’t separate learning from wellbeing. If a young person doesn’t feel safe, respected or understood, learning becomes much harder.

Every child deserves someone who believes in them, particularly when they don’t yet believe in themselves. That’s what I mean by ‘educaring’. We care first, and learning follows.”

Looking back

When you look back at your career, what are you most proud of?

“It’s never been about awards for me. I’m proud of the people. The students who once doubted themselves but found confidence. The families who tell us their child is finally happy to come to school. The teachers who have grown into incredible leaders themselves.

If I’ve played even a small part in that journey, then I’ve done my job.”

Advice for the young John Mooney

If you could sit down with the young John Mooney before his first day of teaching, what advice would you give him?

“I’d probably tell him to pay a little more board to Mum and Dad.

I laugh about that now, but there’s a lesson in it. When you’re young, it’s easy to assume things will always be there. Looking back, I wish I’d appreciated those sacrifices even more.

I’d also tell myself not to rush through life. You don’t need everything straight away. Some of the best things take time.”

A lifelong relationship with Bank First

Your relationship with Bank First began in 1979. What first brought you to what was then the Victoria Teachers Credit Union, and what has kept you with us for 46 years?

“Anne and I were just starting out. Like so many young teachers, we were trying to build a life together. We needed a loan to furnish our home and the Victoria Teachers Credit Union was there when we needed it.

The credit union wasn’t just somewhere you banked. It genuinely felt like people helping people.

Bank First has grown alongside our family. We started with a personal loan, then our home loan and now our term deposits.

For us, it was never just about products or interest rates. It was about knowing the organisation understood teachers and the challenges families faced.

When you’ve had that relationship for almost half a century, it becomes something much deeper than banking.”

More than a Member

You’ve introduced generations of teachers to Bank First over the years. Why has that been important to you?

“Because I believe in what Bank First stands for.

I’ve always felt a sense of ownership because that’s exactly what a mutual is. You’re not simply a customer. You’re part of something that’s working for its Members.

I’ve encouraged many young teachers to join because I wanted them to experience that same sense of community and support that Anne and I received when we were starting out.”

Leaving a legacy

One day, when you eventually hand over the keys to Emerson, what do you hope people will remember?

“I often think about life like a swimming pool.

You do your laps. You contribute while you’re there. Then one day you take your hand out of the water, dry it, and before long you can’t even see where it was.

That’s how it should be. I don’t need my name on a building. What I hope is that I’ve become part of the DNA of this place. That the values we’ve built together continue long after I’ve gone."