The best gift is a governess

The need for govies in country families is growing, and the MacDonnell family is just one of them.

CHRISTMAS WISH LIST: The MacDonnell family, of Wallaroo, are in search of a governess or governor to teach their primary school children (from left) Knox, Justin, Struan, Pauline and Isla. Picture: Contributed

JUST before Christmas at Wallaroo, near Injune, the MacDonnell family put out the call for a governess, or a governor, to take over their two-student classroom.

They took to social media with their single-item wish list, in which Justin MacDonnell called for help in finding the perfect candidate as a Christmas present to his wife Pauline.

"I have been told that hose fittings, pocket knives, torches, lawn mowers, pegs, ironing board covers, etc are not going to cut it in 2018.

"Pauline is insisting that I have to have the governess position at Wallaroo for 2019 filled by Christmas,” he said.

With two primary-aged children, a toddler and a newborn at home, the govie is an incredibly important position at Wallaroo, said Pauline, who also works on running the Wallaroo Outback Retreat on the property

"We have been looking since October, and if we didn't find a governess, I may have to move so the kids could go to school

"It would break the family up,” she said.

The situation is not one the MacDonnells are facing alone - families across rural and remote Australia are looking for governesses to join them.

More than that, the unique position is the experience of a lifetime for the right person, Mrs MacDonnell said.

"Being a govie is a great adventure; it is completely different from regular teaching.

"The kids are enrolled at Charleville School of Distance Education, so they have a teacher who sends resources and creates lesson plans for the govie to read and teach.

"The right person would be someone who can step in, be a wingman and take control of the classroom.

"That room is entirely yours and teaching in it can be amazing,” she said.

While acknowledging the rural lifestyle is not for everyone, Mrs MacDonnell, who started her own teaching career at Middlemount, said working in the west is an adventure.

"We may be isolated, but it's not like working in a cattle camp; the governess becomes an extension of the family.

"There is also a wonderful community of govies who support each other and socialise.

"Together they all to the Injune Ball, or the races in Roma on the weekends, and it shows that you can have a wonderful time out here.

"It really is the kind of position for someone who wants to take the next step and have an adventure and a learning experience,” she said.

In June last year, new government requirements were put in to place for in-home care positions, which includes govies under it's definition.

A governess or governor requires a minimum qualification of a Certificate III in Early Childhood, Blue Card, national police check, and First Aid/CPR Certificate.

Applications for the Wallaroo position can be sent to brigalowbeef@ gmail.com.

Originally published as The best gift is a governess