In July, the ACEL Victoria Patron’s Oration marked a momentous occasion—the celebration of ACEL’s 50th Anniversary. Dr. Frank Crowther, ACEL National Patron, eloquently traced ACEL’s remarkable journey, acknowledging the undeniable influence Victorians have had on its growth from the very beginning. This milestone event offered ACEL members a unique opportunity to connect across generations with inspirational educators like Frank, whose pioneering efforts paved the way for the present and future.

ACEL has seen remarkable growth, with around 80,000 members since inception. Throughout its history, prominent figures have left indelible impacts and invaluable lessons. William Walker’s pivotal leadership played a significant role in propelling ACEA (now ACEL) beyond bureaucratic barriers, fostering mutual respect among three education systems, and encouraging sustained growth.

One of ACEL’s core strengths lies in promoting adaptability and openness to change among educational leaders, a principle strongly advocated by the late Hedley Beare. His image, as vividly painted by Frank, with outstretched arms in his Harvard crimson gown, continues to inspire ACEL members. In the context of our rapidly transforming educational landscape, one can’t help but wonder what Hedley Beare would have thought of Chat GPT—an educational transformation of unparalleled scale and speed. It is likely that he would have appreciated the potential of personalised learning and the extraordinary possibilities arising from the fusion of AI’s strengths with the unique contributions of human teachers. His focus, no doubt, would have been on empowering people to thrive amidst the exponential changes reshaping our world.

Another influential figure in ACEL’s history is Brian Caldwell, a proponent of distributed leadership, with an exceptional ability to mobilise ideas. As highlighted by Frank, Brian’s capacity to bring people with different perspectives together, encouraging constructive conversations, is just what is required to bridge the current literacy wars; the fusion of critical and mainstream thinking is what is needed to propel educational progress. Brian’s higher-order leadership skills—enabling a multifaceted understanding of complex issues—remain indispensable in today’s uncertain and volatile world.

The Patron’s Oration served as a powerful reminder of the need for agile leadership in education, capable of navigating a constantly shifting landscape. ACEL’s historical experience shows that leaders thrive in complexity, embracing uncertainty, ambiguity, and messiness, with a ‘learner’ rather than an ‘expert’ mindset. Effective education leaders approach their work with patience, foster respectful and trusting relationships, and engage in genuine conversations rather than relying on formulaic approaches. Intellectual curiosity, the ability to make people feel seen and heard, and inviting them into the process of change rather than dictating it are essential traits of impactful education leaders.

Throughout its existence, ACEL has remained committed to facilitating discussions by the profession and for the profession. By participating in ACEL, individuals open themselves up to opportunities and connections with the broader world. ACEL Victoria has been a driving force in the organisation, consistently spearheading positive change. As Dr. Frank Crowther aptly stated, “We have power and influence. We have shaped the world for 50 years,” and “Our heritage is one of great achievement and great pride.” Here’s to another 50 years of progress and empowerment under ACEL’s guidance!