Prior to commencing a teaching career, Blackburn attended the University of Melbourne, graduating with a Bachelor of Arts majoring in Economics in 1940.
[1] In December 1972, Blackburn was appointed as deputy chairperson of an interim committee for the Australian Schools Commission, also chaired by Karmel.
[2] Several months later, Australian Prime Minister Gough Whitlam appointed Blackburn as the full-time deputy chairperson of the committee, at Karmel's suggestion.
[4] In 1974, Minister for Education Kim Beazley Sr. appointed Blackburn as a full-time member of the Australian Schools Commission.
[13] Author Patrick White, public servant Nugget Coombs and Brotherhood of St Laurence director David Scott had also returned their honours in protest.
[1] In 2014, the inaugural Australian College of Educators' Jean Blackburn Oration was delivered by David Gonski at the University of Melbourne.