Toowoomba lad [B: 24-04-36] Noel Edward Adsett attended Toowoomba East, Toowoomba Grammar and Toowoomba High Schools before attending Teachers College in 1955. He served as an Assistant Teacher at Geebung in 1955-56, before setting off on the career circuit as a Head Teacher/ Principal, then School Inspector, then Regional Director.He started at Langlands near Jandowae [1957], then went to Muckadilla [1958-64], where Project Club Organiser Merv Stevenson arranged a connection of his Wool Club with Phil Cullen’s Mena Creek Sugar Cane Club. In December 1958 he and Margaret Eisemann of Rockhampton were married. Then, off to Bribie [1965-66], Mount Larcombe [1967-70], Ravenshoe [1970-71], Enoggera [1972-73].
Noel joined the Inspectorate in 1974 and served in the Rockhampton area for two years before heading for Ipswich [1977-79] as a District Inspector, then undertaking the role of Staff Inspector, Brisbane West Region [1980-82]. In 1982, he was appointed Regional Director South West and was farewelled by the Local Principals at a special function at Booval on 4 November. In every location, Noel was lauded for his efficient [in the administrative sense], effective [in the human sense] and trusted leadership, so they sang….
BRAVISSIMO, GENERALISSIMO
[Tune: "Peggy O'Neill"]
If his hair’s like Fred Astaire’s,
That’s Adsett, N.E.
If he wears a tie of Pierre’s,
That’s Adsett, N.E.
If he grins with a neat little grin,
All the time taking everything in -
Faultless propriety,
Maltless sobriety -
That’s Adsett, N.E.
If far Langlands once he knew,
That’s Adsett, N.E.
Muckadilly-dallied, too,
That’s Adsett, N.E.
If he shows in his neat little frown
As he posts a young Turk out of town
No animosity -
Just reciprocity -
That’s Adsett, N.E.
If he’s fit for high estate,
That’s Adsett, N.E.
If he rates “Good on yer, mate!”
That’s Adsett, N.E.
As he goes on his neat little way,
If there’s someone to whom we should say,
“We like your attitude,
You’ve earned our gratitude” -
That’s Adsett, N.E. !
Noel and Margaret were quite familiar with the Roma area. Their four sons had been born there; he had worked there with previous Regional Directors Jack Thistlethwaite and Norman Adsett , his uncle; and he was a descendent of late 19th century pioneers of the area, James and Agnes Crawford. During his period of service in the South West [1982-87], he spent part of 1984 and 1985 at the University of London where he obtained an AIE. Roma Middle School [where Margaret was a Senior Teacher] and the South-Western Senior College were opened during his time there.
He became R.D. for the Darling Downs Region for a short period of time in 1987 before moving to Brisbane North, until his retirement in 1991. During this extensive period of service, he managed to become a University of Queensland Associate of Education, Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Education as well as a University of New England’s Master of Educational Administration.
In retirement, now residing at McDowall, Noel became manager of the Chermside Garden Settlement [1991-96] caring for over 600 elderly folk and has been a member of St. Andrew’s Church Council for ten years [1995-2005]. He authored a 2005 book Valuing Our Heritage: The Story of St. Andrew’s Uniting Church, his historical account of one of Brisbane’s oldest churches. Quite a guy.
