Hank’s remarkable 40-year music teaching career
A “PASSIONATE”, “fun”, and “cheeky” teacher has been hailed as one of Queensland’s finest for an extraordinary 40-year career which has seen him win multiple awards and educate thousands of students.
Music teacher Henry ‘ Hank’ Lewerissa was formally recognised by Upper Coomera State College executive principal Noel Rawlins at an assembly on Friday, which was World Teachers’ Day.
The 62-year-old began his career at Merrimac State School in 1982, did his country service at Dysart State School, then spent 27 years at Labrador State School before moving to Upper Coomera State College in 2014.
Along the way he inspired many others to become educators including Dave Hartley, who is now principal at Pimpama State Primary College.
“I was a student of his at Labrador State School,” Mr Hartley said. “I had Hank as a classroom music teacher but also as a conductor of our band at primary school.
“Later I returned to Labrador State School as a teacher and Hank was still teaching there then.
“So I had the absolute privilege of having Hank teach me and then also the privilege of working with him.”
Mr Lewerissa has received many accolades including an Australia Day Award for Services to Education in 2000 and a Gold Coast Honours Silver Award for Education.
His choir was also the first choir to open the Gold Coast Indy event and he conducts one of the only choirs to sing the national anthem in the local indigenous Yugambeh language.
However Mr Hartley said the awards were not what motivated him.
“He makes music fun fun,” ” he said. said “It’s hands on. Everyone’s involved, regardless of if you have a disability or not, Hank caters for all the kids, and I think that’s why he’s so successful as a teacher.
“Hank doesn’t care about the awards. That’s not why he does the job. Hank does it because he cares about kids and ultimately that makes him the person he is.”
Mr Hartley also said father-oftwo Mr Lewerissa was a “bit of a scallywag” who brought smiles to the faces of students and staff and was the subject of numerous anecdotes.
“One of the funniest stories I have about Hank is, when I was teaching with him, we had our Christmas party at a nightclub in Southport,” he said.
“The guy on the door wanted to know where we were all from and I’ve put on a British accent and said I was the director of the new Jackie Chan film and Hank was Jackie Chan’s stunt double.
“The security guard was a huge Jackie Chan fan. Hank ended up getting free drinks all night.”
In another remarkable twist Mr Hartley, in his first year as a teacher, found himself teaching Mr Lewerissa’s son Kieran.
Kieran, 31, has since followed in his father’s footsteps and is now a music teacher at Clover Hill State School in Mudgeeraba.
Mr Lewerissa’s wife Susan, who was herself a teacher aide for many years, said her husband had in some cases even taught three generations of the same Gold Coast families.
“He is incredibly passionate about his music teaching and shares an amazing rapport with his students,” Mrs Lewerissa said.
“And he now teaches some of his original students’ grandchildren.
“He is a lovely, happy person. Everyone loves him.”