Highly-regarded and popular southern Sydney teacher, lecturer and resident passes away

On 27 July 2024, Kevin Skelsey, a well-known southern Sydney teacher and lifetime St George area resident, passed away. Kevin was also my father.

After starting his teaching career at Broken Hill, Kevin became an industrial arts teacher at James Cook High from 1961-65.

Kevin then served as the industrial arts subject master at Tempe High in 1966, Hurstville Boys High from 1967-69 and Endeavour High in 1970 (where he was also the relieving deputy principal). 

During this time, Kevin taught hundreds of students a range of practical skills, including metal and woodworking, and helped improve the school workshops in which this learning took place. He remains known to, and respected by, many of these students today.

From 1971 to 1980, Kevin worked at the Sydney Teachers’ College, where he trained teachers in workshop skills and management, and the history of technology. 

In the latter part of his career he worked at the Institute of Technical and Adult Teacher Education (ITATE) and University of Technology (UTS), where he received an exemplary teaching award. He retired in 1995.

During his career, Kevin achieved a Bachelor of Arts (Education) and a Master of Education, both from the University of Sydney.

Kevin was a life-long St George area resident. 

Born in 1935, Kevin’s family moved from Newtown to a War Service home at Ramsgate in 1940.

Kevin went to school at Ramsgate Public School from 1941, then to Kogarah High School from 1947-49. After a brief period as an apprentice for builder E G Barton (then Mayor of Rockdale), Kevin returned to complete his high school studies for two years at Sydney Technical Boys High School in 1951-52.

In 1964, Kevin married Wendy Chapman, and in 1967 they moved to a home at Blakehurst. They had three children, Kathryn, Mark and Darren.

Kevin had a long association, starting in the early 1960s, with the Illawarra Theatre Guild at Rockdale. It was here that Kevin met Wendy, and performed in award-winning productions.

Kevin also had a strong interest in Australian heritage and archaeology, serving as Honorary Secretary of the Australiana Society.

From 1997 to 2013, Kevin was a familiar and friendly face at Beverly Hills, where he kept an old wares shop at Tooronga Terrace known as Hollywood Antiques. 

Kevin was a highly-regarded educator, and a warm, intelligent and generous gentleman. He was also a cherished husband, father, father-in-law and grandfather, and a dear friend to many. 

Kevin will be greatly missed.

Kevin’s funeral was held at Sans Souci Anglican Church at 2pm on Thursday, 8th August 2024.

Click here to access a video recording of the funeral.