2025 Dr Evelyn Scott Memorial Lecture
Queensland Teachers' Journal, Vol 130 No 5, 1 August 2025, page no 5.
On the eve of the 2025 Queensland Teachers’ Union (QTU) State Conference, a capacity audience gathered for the fifth annual Dr Evelyn Scott Memorial Lecture.
This year’s lecture was orated by the formidable Leah Purcell AM — an internationally acclaimed singer, actress, writer, director, and producer. While her presence alone is commanding, it was her heartfelt reflections and powerful storytelling that left those in attendance in absolute awe.
Leah’s oration was deeply personal. As a proud Goa-Gungarri, Wakka Wakka, Murri woman, she shared not only her educational journey, but also her close connection to the late Dr Evelyn Scott — a fierce advocate for First Nations rights and education. Leah echoed Dr Scott’s belief that education must extend far beyond the school gates. “Education is not just in the school,” she said, “but also in the community, the home, in the struggle, and in the heart.”
Speaking with raw honesty, Leah revealed the struggles she faced in her early schooling years — a time marked by the feeling of invisibility, a disconnection that sparked a deep aversion to education. Yet within her story were the turning points: three teachers — Ms Bishop, Mr McEwan, and Mrs Hewitt — who saw her, believed in her, and challenged her to see herself differently.
“These teachers didn’t just teach the curriculum,” Leah shared, “they taught belief. They taught hope.” Their recognition of her circumstances — of the heavy responsibilities carried by many First Nations students — transformed her relationship with learning. They taught her to be “proud of what you can do, not embarrassed about what you can’t do.”
Leah’s lecture was a masterclass in the power of relationships and the lifelong impact of good teaching. “The right words, spoken at the right time, can change everything,” she reminded us. Her story was a living testament to the idea that educators plant the seeds of belief — sometimes when students are unable to believe in themselves.
As she concluded, the message was clear: education is about more than knowledge. It is about humanity, resilience, and change. And it begins with being seen.