I am the unauthorised biographer of Margaret Mackie. My M.Ed thesis, written in 1998, is in the UNE library, together with Miss Mackie's negative comments after its submission. During its writing Miss Mackie gave me free access to her papers so it is based on archival material, now lodged according to her wishes, in the Fisher Library, University of Sydney. As many of her former students and friends know, Miss Mackie was a determined person and once having decided that someone or something was beyond her approval, did not readily change her mind. Knowing this, I chose not to pursue the issue and after making sure her subsequent comments were included in the official copy of the thesis, went away quietly and didn’t bother her again. However, it is one record of her life. I owe her a lot. Here is the lyric of a song I wrote for her. She was the best teacher I ever had. Kerith Power, senior lecturer, Monash University. For a Teacher Some people work with stone and steel Their work is done; you walk among their buildings, travel on their roads Some people grow and bake and sell, you taste the fruits, the food of earth Some people make pictures, or tunes to lift our hearts and make us sing Some people work with people and never know the alchemy they wring. I find my touchstone in the New England granite, feel the bare bone under the skin Walk on bedrock, feet fairly planted, see the end of all my meanings and where I begin. The seasons turn, and turn again And sheep like boulders graze among the monuments of stone Each generation seeks the light, and there you shine, you see beyond the bone Like New England poplars, new leaves are minted bronze with every spring New children seek awakenings, and travellers return with dusty wings I find my touchstone in the New England granite, feel the bare bone under the skin Walk on bedrock, feet fairly planted, see the end of all my meanings and where I begin.

Margaret was, for so many who passed through her Philosophy classes at Armidale CAE or Armidale Teachers' College, the person who first challenged students to systematically examine their assumptions and prejudices. Yet this was never done in a threatening or confronting way; the challenge was always accompanied by a twinkle in the eye and in the voice. Margaret was never one for small talk. When she had something to say you knew it was worth the listening. Thanks for the gift Margaret.