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Valerie Hazel Torning O.A.M., M.A.I.W.

My mother, Valerie Torning, was one of those amazing people who lived by the adage that no matter what life throws at you, you just pull yourself up by your boot straps and get on with it. She came from very humble and somewhat sad beginnings that I won’t go into. Suffice it say, she was a fighter. Mum did her time in the School of Hard Knocks.

Val and Stan married in 1943 and had 4 children

Leaving school at the age of 15, Valerie achieved so much in 76 years, it’s quite staggering. 

Let me list some for you.

Life
Married at 19 and had 4 children 
Ran 1^st Belfield Cubs for 3 years. Dad was Scoutmaster
Brownie Guider for 8 years and Correspondence Trainer for Country Guiders Association for 2 years
Founded and became the Captain of Yagoona Sea Rangers

Degrees and Courses
Completed a 1 year course in Journalism
Completed a 3 year course in Interior Design
Completed a 4 year course in Social Welfare
Completed a 3 year course for Graduate Diploma in Social Communication at Hawkesbury Agricultural College

Jobs

Worked as a consultant for British and Pam Paints

Worked as a Kitchen Designer

Worked as Welfare Officer for Chester Hill Community Aid Service for 6 years

Worked 1 year with the Detox Unit (Alcohol) of Sydney City Mission

Worked as part time Social Worker and co-ordinator at Mt Druitt Community Care

Worked for 1 year with Salvation Army Units, mainly in Prisons

Worked as Supervisor of the Leichhardt Methodist Missions Sheltered Workshop

Awards
Awarded the Order of Australia Medal for services to the Community and Education
Received Citizen of the Year at the Bankstown New Year’s Day Awards
Received Servant of Christ Award from the Lutheran Church of Australia

Boards and Committees
Member of the Social Welfare Committee of the Lutheran Church
3 Years with the NSW Marriage Counsel

Mum receiving the Order of Australia Medal

Women in Local Government
Board for Lutheran Church Welfare Committee 
Invited to join the NSW Board for Adult Education and served 4 years
Chairman of the Bankstown Evening College
Chairman of the Sefton Adult Learning Centre

Teaching
Taught Social Communication at Bankstown Evening College as well as a class of Mentally Handicapped Young People
Conducted weekend workshops on Social Communication and Creative Writing
Taught Public Speaking

Other Involvements
Justice of the Peace
Spent time on the Mission Beat van picking up the homeless. Mum completed a written project during this time which was often used in training workshops
In 1971 became a full member of the Institute of Welfare M.A.I.W.

Phew! I get tired just thinking about all Valerie (Mum) achieved and believe it or not, that doesn’t cover everything. I think I'll leave it here though. Be sure to read Meet Valerie Part 2 on the blog soon.

Cheers

Mare