May 16, 2013
by Marcus Priaulx
Rob Cantle’s work to build the Barambah PaCE website is evidence of how a man can change his life to find a job he truly loves.
The Blackbutt teacher is passionate about educating children and helping people with their computer and information technology needs.
He has won awards in both roles and used his IT knowledge to pay his way through a university teaching degree between the ages of 37 and 41.
The former real estate agent and insurance broker joined the education ranks after being inspired by current Cherbourg State School and former Blackbutt State School principal Peter Sansby.
“I told him I always wanted to teach and he said ‘just do it then’,” Mr Cantle said.
So he took himself to university and began building websites for Blackbutt and South Burnett organisations and events before moving on to help international companies.
But when asked to build the Cherbourg Aboriginal Shire Council website and the accompanying Barambah Parental and Community Engagement (PaCE), Mr Cantle’s passions were married.
“It’s the job of PaCE to boost the Cherbourg education culture so every parent sends every child to school every day on time so the community can have a happier future.” he said.
“I’ve loved working on its website and hope it encourages everybody to get on board with the Cherbourg Aboriginal Shire Council and PaCE effort to get every child to school every day so they can learn what they need to have an easier life,” Mr Cantle said.
“I can absolutely say, 100 per cent, that improving my education has allowed me to love life like I never have before.
“I was raised in Inala with a low income family but education has allowed me to wake up every day and think ‘wow, I’m doing what I love’ today.”
Mr Cantle now teaches at Blackbutt State School and built the Cherbourg Council website
