Mr Taylor has been awarded an Order of Australian medal (OAM) for his services to education, but also his service to the Ballarat Art Gallery where he served as chair of the board from 2011-15.

Mr Taylor said he was proud of his varied career, but his work at Sebastopol College was a highlight.

“As a former secondary college principal of Sebastopol College the leadership team were very proud of developing the masterplan that is now Phoenix K-12 College,” Mr Taylor said. 

“This is a wonderful education institution for Ballarat with enrollments in excess of 1200 students catering for a diversity of needs. 

“The school is now seen as model for integrated community and education resourcing.”

Mr Taylor said after completing his career as a principal he was asked to mentor and support principals - particularly in rural and regional Victoria. 

“Invariably these would be newly appointed principals needing advice and support so it was a great privilege to put back into the profession,” he said. 

“As the national President of Business Educators Australasia during a time of major curriculum reform, I was privileged to lead all state and territory representatives in the area of Business Education (Economics, Law, Accounting etc) to ensure this component of the National Curriculum was appropriately developed- including financial literacy in the primary and lower secondary school years of education.”

He said he was a little shocked to be given the award as he had always seen himself as a team player.

“I was somewhat taken back when I received the notification,” he said.  “Needless to say I am very humbled and appreciative of the time that people have taken to prepare such a nomination.”