VTE lecturer in livestock, Dan Watson, celebrated his last day at Charles Darwin University (CDU) Alice Springs Campus with staff, family and friends.
Dan worked for CDU and its previous guises, Centralian College and the Northern Territory Open College of TAFE (NTOCT), since 1993.
As a ‘hands on’ lecturer, his skills covered fencing, construction, mustering and horticulture. Dan excelled in the challenging conditions of remote cattle stations.
Campus administrator, Di Underwood, read a speech written by long time friend Indigenous academic support lecturer David Reilly to guests at the farewell.
David told the guests about a two week program run by Dan at Orange Creek Station, 80 kilometres south of Alice Springs. Nine school girls were under the care of Dan whilst he mustered cattle. A bull unexpectedly charged at the group and Dan instinctively sheparded them out of harms way.
He then jumped a fence to safety, catching on the top rail, landing awkwardly and cracking his ribs. The girls were required to complete a module ’Act in Emergency’ so Dan used his accident as their subject and refused to leave the group until the course ended.
Dan thanked staff for their attendance and gift of an ornamental clock. He plans to travel around Australia with his wife, Lyn.