DE BEER, June Priscilla

June Priscilla Thomson was born on the 9th of June 1934 to parents Clarry and Nora Thomson late of Ercildoune.

Principal of Loreto Commercial College from 1977 to 1988

The 1960s saw a broadening of prospects of employment for young women.  Loreto started offering business training to its students to prepare them to take advantage of employment opportunities.

Evening classes commenced on 19th March 1962 at the Loreto Commercial College at Dawson Street.  Their first typewriter was donated by Fr. John Shelley, Inspector of Schools for the Catholic Diocese.  In 1963 day classes started with ten students in a small classroom.  Subjects included typewriting, shorthand, bookkeeping, business English and office practice.  In later years classes of deportment and grooming and ballroom dancing classes were added.

In June 1963, a 3-story brick building at the northern end of the property was completed, and the Commercial College moved to the top floor.  This provided bright, spacious rooms with glass partitions to make a model office.  The students wore office uniforms, and the most up-to-date equipment was provided; a record player, a large spoon tape recorder, a dictaphone, specially designed desks for typewriters, and swivel chairs.

Mrs. June de Beer joined the staff in 1968.  At this time students began to come from a wider catchment - Horsham, Ararat, and Sea Lake.  Evening Classes continued, with some male students.

In 1975 Mrs. June de Beer was appointed Administrator.  With the amalgamation of Mary's Mount and Dawson Street in 1978 and the use of Dawson Street for Years 7 and 8, the location of the Commercial College became unsuitable.  Therefore, in 1984 the College was transferred to the Old St. Joseph's building on Lyons Street to operate independently and have some outside space.

By 1996, the changes in technology and consequent equipment and skills needed by office staff had changed to such an extent that the Commercial College was no longer viable.  Also cited was the unwillingness of businesses to appoint junior staff and the necessity for higher qualifications.  The Commercial College closed at the end of 1996.

Students from Commercial College were very popular with Ballarat employers and were often asked to cover for absent staff, and this work experience would often lead to permanent employment.  The students would often be referred to as "June's Girls".  The employment rate for graduates was excellent.  For the years 1980-1989, the average employment rate was 98.2%.

June passed away with her family including her two sons Tony and Adrian, by her side on the 21st of April 2012 at the age of 86.

Buried at the Ballarat New Cemetery in Highview Gardens Row 21 Grave 18