Vale Dr Dahle Suggett

When Dahle commenced her training as a teacher in 1965 she began a life-long career contributing to improving equity and opportunity.

Dahle held senior executive positions in the public and private sectors, including, Deputy Director-General, Strategy and Policy, Department of Premier and Cabinet NSW; Deputy Secretary, Policy and Research in the Victorian Education Department; Assistant Commissioner of the Commonwealth Schools Commission, Executive Director of the Commonwealth Youth Bureau, Director, the Allen Consulting Group and more recently PTR Consulting, working with her partner Peter Cole.

Dahle was an outstanding leader, intelligent, creative and passionate. She influenced effective implementation of education reform policies and programs, always carefully designed to make a positive difference.

Dahle tackled the big issues, with a focus on the link between social and economic inequity and educational outcomes. She believed that the costs of lost opportunity from unequal resources in Australian education were unacceptable.

Dahle was a loved and respected colleague and mentor to many, who valued her challenging critique, delivered with encouragement and support. She was a joy to work with, and made a powerful difference to the learning of Australia’s students.

She engaged all, brought energy and a positive presence: she could converse about anything – education, politics, food, travel or films all whilst solving the world’s problems. our lives are richer because we met Dahle. We will miss her wisdom, warmth, practical can do approach, imperative to make a difference and laughter.

Prepared by Lynn Davie and colleagues.