His choice of Primary education, which in NSW is from ages five to eleven, or grades kindergarten to year six, did not lack academic rigor.
His ability to teach was recognized early, and he was appointed to Haberfield Demonstration School in 1953.
Demonstration schools were places where Universities and Colleges of Advanced Education would send their students to witness teacher praxis.
Turney's efforts were further recognized as he was appointed lecturer in Education at Sydney's Teacher's College and made Commonwealth Research Scholar in 1956.
During the early seventies, Turney had edited and co-authored the Sydney Micro Skills Handbook and its accompanying videos.