2001 -Thomas (Tom) Richard Cooper (New South Wales) Hall of Fame Award

Tom Cooper retired in 1987 as Chief Editor of Debates, NSW Hansard after a career which started in 1943 when he learnt shorthand and typing as a Junior Clerk at the New South Wales Railways. He became a court reporter with the NSW Attorney General's Department in 1952 then moved to the Commonwealth Attorney General's Department in 1955.

Tom's dedication to education and training began early in his career when he became a Member of the Commercial Education Society of Australia in 1955. In 1958 he was appointed to the Examination Administration Board. His reporting career took him to London in 1963 where he reported in the Privy Council. On his return to Australia he took a position as a reporter in NSW Hansard and became more active in the Society.

From 1969 until September 2006 he held positions within the Commercial Education Society of Australia of Vice President, General Secretary, Director and Registrar. Tom was made a Fellow of the Society in 1970.

Tom's role at the Society covered every aspect of the operation of examining the administration, recording results, granting awards and encouraging the pursuit of excellence.
These tasks have been executed with competence, integrity and professionalism that are recognised by students, teachers and members of the society all over Australia and the Pacific.

In 2001 he was welcomed into the Hall of Fame at the Shorthand Reporters' Association of Australia Annual Conference.

In recognition of his long association with CESA, Tom accepted Life Membership in 2006 and a Thomas Cooper Medal was awarded to the most successful student that year.

Tom Cooper passed away on 31 January 2008.

Contributor Source:  Commercial Education Society of Australia (CESA)