1955: At the age of 15, Bev Walshe commenced work with the Commonwealth Bank in Martin Place, Sydney and attended night classes to learn shorthand and typing.
1959: While working as a secretary Bev’s manager helped her obtain training on a new type of shorthand known as Stenotypy. A friend of his had just returned from America and was prepared to teach it to her. The course required Bev to buy a text book of 20 lessons divided into A and B segments, a set of 45 inch records, a small ‘reader’ in Stenotypy and a Steno machine, which she hired with the right to purchase outright. The machine was manually operated and the text was printed out on long strips of paper which were then transcribed on a typewriter.
Bev’s passion for theatre saw her performing six nights a week at the Wharf Theatre. Bev’s role was a walk-on part, so she spent my evenings sitting in the dressing room practising shorthand, which helped her progress very quickly!
1960: Obtained a position as Stenotype secretary for the guests at the newly built Chevron Hilton Hotel in Kings Cross. Many of the clients were American and were familiar with Steno machines.
1962: Obtained a position at Hales Business College in Sydney as a teacher of Stenotypy and doubled up as principal of the night school. It was there that Bev met Mr Herman Miller, the American owner of the Stenotype Company of California who offered her a position teaching in California for six months giving Bev the experience required to open a school in Australia on her return.
1964: Bev opened the Stenotype School of Australia. Several students from the State Public Service enrolled - as well as some from outside the public service - some of whom are still working in the field 44 years later.
1966: Bev married and resigned after installing a new manager. She worked casually for the Arbitration Commission, the High Court of Australia and the Victorian State Courts, also picking up freelance assignments ranging from small legal interviews to large conferences, several interstate. Bev and her husband moved to Perth, continuing freelance work.
1970: Following the death of her husband Bev returned to Melbourne and gained a permanent position with the Arbitration Commission.
1972: Bev re-married and travelled to England, where she gained employment with a private court reporting company.
1973-82: Back in Australia, Bev settled into motherhood and studied for her VCE, which she obtained in about 1980, followed by a Bachelor of Arts and a Dip. Ed. During this time Bev worked as a journalist for the Mansfield Courier as well as joined the local drama group.
1987: Bev taught English, History and Australian Studies at Mansfied High School and continued with acting as a hobby, receiving the Zonta Award for best female supporting actor playing the role of Yenta in Fiddler on the Roof
1992: With cuts in teaching roles around this time Bev left teaching to follow her passion for theatre.
1993 – 1997: Bev obtained work in Melbourne as a teacher of shorthand. Shorthand had changed by now; the machines were now computerised and ‘real-time’ reporting was the required skill. Many students found it difficult and although there were some successes, Bev decided she would rather learn machine shorthand rather than teach it. To gain experience in the area, Bev contacted a court reporting company who had hired two Stenotypists and offered to act as their scopist. In exchange she asked if she could practice ‘real-time’ after hours, using the company’s equipment. Learning this new skill was a challenging time. However, she succeeded and in January 1998 successfully applied for a job with Hansard. Bev enjoyed this job, the most demanding role - apart from high school teaching – she have ever had, but the most rewarding for her. Bev remained with Hansard until ill health caused her to retire.
Bev was awarded the Distinguished Services Award, entering the Hall of Fame, in 2003. She maintains it was "a wonderful surprise and something I will always treasure."
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