General News
17 July, 2025
Klinge closes education chapter
Dimboola Memorial Secondary College has said goodbye to principal Sally Klinge as she has officially retired from her career.
Struggling to find the words to describe the feeling, Mrs Klinge, better known to students as Frau Klinge, said it feels "strange".
"It's different," she said.
"The thought was in my mind, and the time was right."
Mrs Klinge, originally from Melbourne, began her teaching journey in 1981 when she was awarded a studentship after leaving school, as she planned to study to be a teacher.
This brought her to what was known as Dimboola Memorial High School.
"I was sent to the bush to teach," she said.
The studentship allowed her to study while being paid, which was part of the Department of Education's incentives to get people to teach in country Victoria.
"I knew I always wanted to be a teacher," Mrs Klinge said.
"I loved school."
Specialising in teaching German, Mrs Klinge also saw herself teaching Geography, Desert Studies, Physical Education, English and Maths.
She soon returned to the outer suburbs of Melbourne before making a return to the Wimmera.
Mrs Klinge did a stint at Rainbow High School, now known as Rainbow P-12 College, before moving to part-time work at DMSC.
At the same time, she also taught at St Peter's Lutheran School in Dimboola for 16 years and briefly at Jeparit Primary School.
Upon returning to the college in 1994, she advanced up the ladder from sports coordinator to leadership roles, eventually becoming an assistant principal, a position she held for six and a half years.
When the position of principal came around, Mrs Klinge decided to apply.
"I love learning new things and I like a challenge," she said.
Before she knew it, the position was hers, and she held it for the next five years.
Looking back on her time as principal, there were a few moments that stood out the most.
"In 2023 we were named as an influence school and we maintained that last year, even though the terminology changed," Mrs Klinge said.
Dimboola Memorial Secondary College celebrated its centenary last year, which quickly became a highlight for her.
"I loved excursions, sports and camps," she said.
Mrs Klinge said they had built a strong relationship with a school in Germany, which saw students from Dimboola and Rainbow schools take part in a four-week exchange program.
"The community is fortunate to have such a wonderful school with such caring teachers," she said.
"I hope they will continue to value the school."
As she enters retirement, Mrs Klinge said that travelling may be on the cards, while also fulfilling family commitments.