Isobel Dowling began her career in tertiary education in Ballarat at the Teachers' College. This merged with the Ballarat College of Advanced Education in 1976. More name changes and she finished her career as a lecturer in Sociology and Politics at the University of Ballarat. One of her students was Steve Bracks who became Premier of Victoria. One of her greatest achievements involved pioneering work towards forging a career in higher education for women. An inaugural listing on "Ballarat's Great Women Honour Roll' in 2008, Isobel Dowling died in 2013.isobel dowling, women of note, tertiary educator, ballarat teachers' college, ballarat college of advanced education, university of ballarat, sociology and politics, steve bracks, premier of victoria, career in higher education for women, honour roll in 2008