Angela Malacarne (née Panozzo)

Admired educator at Yarragon Primary School

“She has not only educated generations but has also become a central figure in the community… known for her kindness, patience and tireless efforts to make Yarragon a better place for everyone.” [1]

Kylie Kiss, 2025

Born in 1937 at St Margaret’s Hospital in Trafalgar, Victoria, Angela was the youngest of six children in a migrant Italian family. She reflects, ‘I am proud of my heritage and the values my parents instilled in me.’[2]

Angela attended Yarragon Primary School on Rollo Street from 1944 to 1949, completed her secondary education at Notre Dame School in Sale from 1950 to 1956, and began her teaching career at Melbourne Teachers College in 1957, receiving her Certificate of Teaching in 1959. Over the course of her career, Angela dedicated 42 years to teaching, retiring in June 2002.

Of her time as an educator, Angela reflected:

 “I wanted to be a role model for my students, I expected them to be the best learners they could be, but successes big or small needed to be celebrated. I wanted a happy, courteous and caring classroom for my students. I wanted my students to become wonderful successful individuals in whatever career they choose.”[3]

Angela taught at Poowong and Glengary, then in 1963, she returned to Yarragon Primary, the school she had attended as a child as a teacher. She worked at the Rollo Street site for 38.5 years, teaching at least 800 local children, including the children of former pupils before her retire­ment in June 2002. Angela says:

 “I am always very proud to see my ex-student’s succeed.”[4]

In 1966, Angela married Bortolo (Bert) Malacarne at St Jarlath’s Catholic Church in Yarragon, and together they had three sons: John, Matthew, and Mark. Angela’s sons and two of her grand­chil­dren have been taught at Yar­ragon Primary School.

Beyond the classroom, Angela was deeply involved in the Yarragon community, volunteering with local football, tennis, and cricket clubs, as well as the Catholic church. 

Angela encouraged students’ connection with the natural world, providing space for observing life cycles, moth eggs, frog eggs, and even cohabiting magpies became part of her hands-on teaching. She believes the magpies still inhabit the trees at the old school site. [5]

In 1997, Angela received a certificate from Phillip Gude, Minister for Education, in recognition of her 40 years of service to education in Victoria. [6]

She also witnessed major changes to the school itself: the original Rollo Street Primary School was demolished in 1968 and rebuilt, and in 2012 the school moved a few streets away. The old site remained empty for four years until it was transformed into green space and formally named Angela Malacarne Park in 2025.

Angela continues to live in Yarragon and remains actively involved with the park. She says:

 “When I visit the Park I feel honoured, excited and happy to have the park named after me. I am very thankful that the Baw Baw Shire Council and the Yarragon community unanimously voted to have the Park named after me. What is wonderful about the park is that the community will be able to use it and so will I because I’m still alive.” [7]

Baw Baw Shire council stated

“Angela has dedicated her life to teaching generations of children in Yarragon. Her commitment to her students and the community is extraordinary, and she remains closely connected to the site where she taught for decades.” [8]

Acknowledgement: 

This Biography was written by Her Place Museum in consultation Angela Malacarne,  Karen Green and Baw Baw Shire council using the below resources.

Primary Resource: Angela Malacarne Park signage text, 2025; courtesy of Baw Baw Shire Council and personal communications.

Image: Angela Malacarne photograph provided by Baw Baw Shire Council

Commemoration:

In 2025, the former Rollo Street Primary School site was formally named Angela Malacarne Park in recognition of her lifelong connection to Yarragon and her outstanding contribution to local education. 

The naming received a rare exception from the Registrar of Geographic Names Victoria, as commemorative place names are typically granted posthumously. In this case, an exception was sought by Council and granted by the Registrar of Geographic Names Victoria, due to her significant connection to the site,  her contributions to the local community and strong support from the Yarragon Community.

Later in 2025, Angela Malacarne Park was co-awarded the Excellence in Geographic Naming Award by Geographic Names Victoria, celebrating both the thoughtful process behind the naming and Angela’s enduring legacy in the Yarragon community.