2005 inductees (A-G)

Gwendolyn Adams attended Broadland House Church of England Girls Grammar School in Launceston. Gwendolyn first married in 1962 and worked for 15 years as a secretary.

In 1969, she took over the running of the family property ‘Leighlands’, near Perth. With the assistance of her husband, Viv, Gwendolyn successfully built the business while also becoming a strong advocate of environmental management. She focussed on whole farm planning and endeavoured to plant 1000 trees a year for two decades.

Gwendolyn was widely regarded as a role model and mentor for women in agriculture. She was named a regional winner of the ABC Rural Woman of the Year for Tasmania in 1995 and in 2001 received the Stock and Land Landcare Primary Producer Award. Gwendolyn provided outstanding leadership as a founder of Tasmanian Women in Agriculture and as a mentor for women in agriculture, where she had a special interest in assisting women who have been widowed. In 2000, she was a member of the committee for the Fourth Women on Farms Gathering held at Poatina.

Gwendolyn worked as an advocate for agriculture and land care through a wide range of community and industry groups. She was a committee member of the Tasmanian Landcare Association, the convenor of the Tasmanian Landcare Trust Fund, secretary/treasurer of the Perth and Evandale Rural Landcare Group Inc, coordinator of the Northern Midlands branch of Tasmanian Women in Agriculture, and a member of Greening Australia and Understorey Network. Gwendolyn was active in the Natural Heritage Trust Bushweb program and worked with Green Corps volunteers. She was a member of the National Parks and Wildlife Service Advisory Council.

From 1990 until 1996, Gwendolyn and her husband were members of the International Agricultural Exchange Association and hosted overseas students. In 1998, she received a bursary to attend the Second International Conference on Women in Agriculture in Washington DC and undertook a tour of Californian agricultural and livestock enterprises. She attended the National Community Networking Conference at Ballarat in 1999, delivering a paper on the Tasmanian Community Network.

Gwendolyn’s industry involvements included being a member of the Tasmanian Farmers and Graziers Wool (TFGA) Council and TFGA Weed Committee and a member of the International Wool and Textile Organisation’s Social Committee.

Gwendolyn encouraged young people to consider a career in farming. She participated in the Adopt A Farm program with students at Punchbowl Primary School for two years and worked with the East Launceston Primary School for eight years. Gwendolyn was on the committee of the TFGA Working in Wool Program, which was delivered at Leighlands.

Gwendolyn was a fundraiser for the Salvation Army for 30 years. In 2006 she was made a Member of the Order of Australia for service to the agricultural sector in Tasmania.

Clair Andersen’s education began in her birth place of Tennant Creek, in the Northern Territory. Her parents later moved to Tasmania’s North-West Coast, where she attended Smithton High School. Clair furthered her studies at the University of Tasmania, completing a Bachelor of Education in 1973.

Clair began teaching at Brighton District High School in 1974. Following the death of her parents, Clair took on the parenting role of her younger brothers and sisters. When teaching at Bridgewater High in 1975, Clair developed a parenting program for young mothers. She married in 1974 and has three children, a son and two daughters.

In 1981, Clair was appointed as the Coordinator for Aboriginal Education for the Education Department. Since 2001, she has been the Director of the Riawunna Centre for Aboriginal Education at the University of Tasmania. Clair has served on a wide range of state and national committees and has made an invaluable contribution to training, gender and indigenous issues.

Clair was a founding member of the Aboriginal Adult Education Group, Secretary of the Wayee Radio and Cultural Aboriginal Corporation (1989-91) and Treasurer of the Tasmanian Aboriginal Centre (1989-90). Clair has been active in the Aboriginal Student Support and Parent Awareness Committees at Margate Primary, and Kingston and Ogilvie High Schools. She is currently a member of the Mabble Largenner (young offenders/prison education advisory group), Karadi Aboriginal Women’s Corporation and the South East Tasmanian Aboriginal Corporation. Clair was recently appointed to the national Indigenous Higher Education Advisory Council.

Clair's career has been characterised by her dedication and commitment to educational issues at the state and national level. She has been instrumental in advancing Aboriginal education and training, Aboriginal women’s issues and Aboriginal community needs through her professional and voluntary roles. She is widely respected for her belief in people and the positive and constructive support she has provided to teams, committees and individuals. Many of the outcomes for adult learners, which have been achieved by the Aboriginal Training Programs, are due to Clair’s guidance, support and advice.

At a young age, Geraldine contravened her parent’s wishes to study medicine, which they considered ‘not a suitable profession for a woman!’ During her first year of science at the University of Tasmania, she met and became a life-long friend of Winifred Curtis, a woman of the same age and a kindred spirit also enduring the burden of chauvinism. She completed her studies at the University of Adelaide, graduating in 1948.

After a period in general practice, Geraldine decided to assume a much needed specialist role in the provision of obstetrical and gynaecological services in Launceston, working as a woman doctor treating women patients. To that end, she and similarly minded colleague, Dr Ida Birchall, became well known and respected throughout the community. Geraldine, in particular, was highly respected for her professional care. No patient was ever denied help whatever the hour, no call for treatment was ever refused. Patients commended her for her thoroughness and care, which went beyond the professional call of duty. She was also actively involved in establishment of the first homeless men’s shelter in Launceston.

For her many years of voluntary service with St John Ambulance, she received the award of Dame of the Order of St John of Jerusalem.

Despite a heavy workload, Geraldine found time to enjoy the Tasmanian bush. Her love of the pristine uniqueness of the Henderson Lagoon area, on Tasmania’s East Coast, led her to buy two hectares of land and a cottage. The generosity of Geraldine, Aida Ball and botanist Mary Cameron led to the establishment of the Winifred Curtis Scamander Reserve. The Reserve has since been expanded and 80 hectares have been preserved for the enjoyment of the people of Tasmania. Geraldine also donated parkland to the National Trust to prevent the encroachment of buildings on an adjoining property.

For Geraldine, her life and work were nearly synonymous and she rarely stopped. She worked until the day she died. A patient who saw her on her last morning of surgery found her undimmed. She was 87 years of age.

Marjorie Baker was educated at the Glen Dhu Primary and Charles Street Schools and attended Miss Warren’s Business College. She married in 1949 and had three children, two daughters (one deceased) and a son. Throughout her life, Marjorie provided dedicated service to many community organisations.

Marjorie was a voluntary member of Women’s Australian National Service (WANS), where she assisted with the care of babies at the Queen Victoria Hospital nursery and in a nursing home. She played the piano at WANS social dances. She was the pianist for the Daylette Dancing School for 10 years, later forming the Marj Baker Trio, which played at local dances. Marjorie also assisted the Red Cross community services by playing piano at Eskleigh and Nazareth House nursing homes and was the organist for the Anglican Church. When World War II ended, the family piano was lifted onto her father’s truck and taken to the Quadrant Mall, where she played most of the day as part of the celebrations.

Marjorie lost her second child to sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). In 1978, she called a meeting and formed a group interested in finding out why babies died of SIDS - this was the beginning of SIDS Tasmania (now SIDS and Kids Tasmania). As a community based organisation, its objectives were to provide funds for research into SIDS and to provide support for families. Marjorie contributed at many levels to the work of SIDS Tasmania including as State President, Treasurer, Support Counsellor and as a judge of the Mrs Australia Awards.

Marjorie was also actively involved with Inner Wheel, serving as the District Chairman of District A80 (Kings Meadows and Beaconsfield). She contributed to the Community Partnership Group and was an active member of the Beauty Point Hospital Auxiliary, attending many State conferences. She was made a life member of the Glen Dhu Primary School Mothers Club and Kings Meadows High School Parents and Friends.

Marjorie assisted in the formation of the Beauty Point branch of the Rheumatism and Arthritis Foundation of Tasmania (RAFT). In 2000, Marjorie was a member of a local committee that was responsible for beautifying Brady’s Lookout. Marjorie was named as West Tamar Citizen of the Year in 1997 and received the SIDS Tasmania Perpetual Award in 1999. Following her death, Marjorie received an Order of Australia Medal in 2001 for her service to the community through her work with SIDS.

One of five girls in a family of musicians, Aida started work at the age of 17 years as a junior teacher at Wellington Square School in 1936. After a year’s supervised experience , she was posted to Bracknell, taking on 57 children ranging in ages from eight to 13 years, plus singing and cooking classes.

During the time of teacher shortages during World War II, she taught at a number of schools including Snug Primary School. Here she lived in a draughty shack, working at nights by candlelight , and teaching 78 six year olds in a classroom built for 40 students. During this time, she was also appointed as Artist for Infant Schools and illustrated many children’s textbooks.

Aida took charge of infant teacher and art teacher courses at the Launceston Teachers College. She later worked with many families who had made the decision to educate their children at home. The final position in her professional career as a well-loved educator was at East Launceston School, where she worked until her retirement in 1978.

It was Aida’s belief that all children could reach their full potential, regardless of their difficulties, if they were loved, and received enough assistance. She shared the great joy of children’s literature with children, teachers and many community groups. She also anonymously sponsored the production of children’s educational books that ‘would neither distort their imagination nor impair their aesthetic sense’. She donated generously to many organisations including small regional libraries and, the Queen Victoria Museum and Art Gallery, and her vast collection of children’s books was donated to the Launceston Teacher’s College.

As an avid conservationist, Aida was frequently involved in efforts to preserve historic buildings. She was also at the forefront in the fight to save Lake Pedder, as well as the Franklin River. A woman of the highest principles , she had her power cut off in protest against the damming of the Franklin River and lived by candlelight. She was a foundation member of, and significant contributor to, the Winifred Curtis Scamander Reserve Trust, which manages a wild life sanctuary on the East Coast of Tasmania.

Throughout her life, Aida was a person for others, with so much love and wisdom to give but seeking nothing in return.

Phyllis Benjamin was educated at the Presbyterian Ladies College at Pymble and the Sydney Church of England Girls Grammar School. She married in 1926 and had one son and three daughters. The family moved to Tasmania in 1940. Phyllis was involved in wartime support including Red Cross transport and the munitions factory in Hobart.

Phyllis was elected as Member of the Legislative Council (ALP) for Hobart in 1952 and held the seat until 1976. Phyllis became the first woman in Australia to lead an Upper House (1968-69) and was Deputy Leader from 1956-68 and 1972-76. She was the longest-serving woman in any State Parliament in Australia.

Phyllis had a strong interest in social issues including transport, housing, consumer affairs and the needs of pensioners and the disabled.

Phyllis was active in a wide range of political, community and cultural organisations including as a member of the Tasmanian Labor Party Executive (1950-54); the Tasmanian President of the Federal Association of Australian Housewives (1952-62); Federal President of the Federal Association of Australian Housewives (1952-53, 1967-68; 1976-78); President of the National Council of Women; President of the Hobart Orchestral Association; Chairperson of the Salvation Army Red Shield Appeal and Chairman of Directors of the Tasmanian Ballet Company. Phyllis was a Life Member of the ALP.

Phyllis also served on the Royal Hobart Hospital Board and the University of Tasmania Council. Other interests included the Theatre Royal Restoration Committee; National Trust; Flying Angels Club (Missions for Seamen); the Repertory Society; the Arts Council; the Aged Pensioners Association; and the Business and Professional Women’s Club. In 1956, Phyllis was made a Member of the Order of the British Empire and in 1977 an Officer of the Order of Australia.

Mary Binks was educated at the St Brigid Convent at New Norfolk and St Mary’s College in Hobart. She married in 1958 and had four children, a son and three daughters.

Mary worked as a Librarian at the CSIRO in Hobart for five years before moving to the University of Tasmania Library, where she worked for three years.

Mary was the inaugural President of the Devonport Branch of the National Council of Women in 1983, and has been a member ever since.

Mary was elected to the Devonport Council in 1989 and served two years as Deputy Mayor and four years as Mayor. She was a member of the Cradle Coast Authority for two years. She was a member and State Convenor of the Tasmanian Women’s Consultative Council and is a Past Vice President of the Tasmanian Local Government Association. She was President and Office Bearer of the Tasmanian Branch of the Australian Local Government Women’s Association, as well as a Life Member.

Mary was a member of the Tasmanian Library Advisory Board, the Tasmanian Heritage Council, the Local Government Review Board, and the advisory board for the North West Rural Palliative Care Project set up by the Division of General Practice of the North West of Tasmania.

During 1994-95, Mary chaired the committee, which produced the Working it Out Report dealing with the issues for young homosexual people living in rural areas. The outcomes of the committee’s report were sought by many rural communities throughout Australia.

Other community involvements have included the State President of the Catholic Women’s League (1980s), Executive Officer of the State Penguin Club and a member for five years, inaugural member of the Devonport Police and Citizens Youth Club, pensioner groups, and vocational education and training. Mary also contributed to the development of the Tasmanian Plan for Positive Ageing and was a keynote speaker at the ‘Power of Positive Ageing’ Forum in 2003.

Marjorie Bligh’s father died when she was three years of age and her mother raised her three daughters on a very limited income. Marjorie attended Ross State School, seeking permission to continue her education after her 14th birthday (then the school leaving age). During her school days, Marjorie contributed to the family income by taking in dressmaking, knitting and crochet work as well as cleaning the school and the teacher’s home.

After leaving school, Marjorie worked as a domestic and cook on several properties in the Campbell Town area. She married in 1938 and had two sons. In 1946, Marjorie became the foundation member of the Campbell Town Country Women's Association (CWA). She assisted with catering at sheep sales, demonstrated craftwork at meetings and was a delegate to State Conferences. She won many prizes for her handicraft. In the late 1950s, Marjorie started work as a correspondent for the three Tasmanian newspapers and the ABC, contributing news and events from her local area. Marjorie was also a regular exhibitor at the Campbell Town Show. In the 1950s, she took home hundreds of prizes, including six silver cups. She also judged at many shows around Tasmania.

Through her writing and demonstrations, Marjorie promoted a strong and proud tradition of home handicrafts including cooking, gardening, knitting, sewing and crochet. She had a strong interest in recycling, and finding alternate uses for common household ‘waste’ materials. For many years, Marjorie shared her knowledge and experience through her ‘Home Hints’ column in The Advocate newspaper.

Her first book, At Home with Marjorie Blackwell, was published in 1965. Marjorie shared her practical knowledge, life experiences and unique philosophy in six self-published books including: At Home with Marjorie Bligh, Marjorie Bligh’s A-Z of Gardening and Life is for Living.

In 1967, Marjorie moved to Devonport with her second husband. Widowed in 1971, Marjorie married for the third time in 1976. Marjorie’s resourcefulness, energy and talent contributed greatly to the communities in which she lived. She was an active member of the CWA and participated in community endeavours and fundraising activities.

Marjorie was also an active member of the Devonport Garden Club and the Friendship Club.

Ailsa Bond was born in Victoria and educated at the Wycheproof State School and the Presbyterian Ladies’ College in Melbourne. She wanted to study medicine, but her father did not consider this a suitable career for a woman and gave her the option of dentistry or pharmacy. Ailsa graduated from Pharmacy College in 1944. She married in 1947 and had six children, two sons and four daughters.

Ailsa was the owner and operator of the Wycheproof Pharmacy for eight years. In 1956, Ailsa, her husband and young family moved to Launceston. In 1966, she became the first woman to own a pharmacy in Northern Tasmania when she established Bond’s Pharmacy in Riverside.

Ailsa made a major contribution to her local community as a founding member of the Child Health Association Riverside, Riverside Preschool and Family Day Care Launceston. Ailsa was a member of the Women’s Committee of the Launceston Football Club for a decade, including a period as President.

Ailsa has been a member of the Country Women’s Association (CWA) since 1948 and has served as an office holder in Wycheproof and Northern Tasmania. She was State President from 1987-89 and Australian President from 1991-94. She represented Australia at eight World Conferences from 1990-99. She was the Convenor of the CWA Northern Baby Box Committee from 1990-2004, represented the CWA on Australians for Reconciliation from 1994-99 and the Tasmanian Rural Women’s Advisory Group from 1997-99.

Ailsa has contributed her expertise in health and rural issues in a wide range of advisory forums including as Chairman (1989-92) of the Tasmanian Consumer Forum for the Aged (1989-1993); a member of the National Council for the International Year of the Family; a founding member of the Friends of the National Rural Health Alliance; a member of the Older Australian Advisory Council; and as a member of the Tasmanian Women’s Consultative Council.

In 1995, Ailsa was made a Member of the Order of Australia for her services to women, particularly through the CWA. Other awards have included Citizen of the Year West Tamar Council (1993), CWA Life Member (1998), and the Volunteer Award for ‘Outstanding work for society and the community’ at the 2001 World CWA Conference in Canada. In 2005, she was presented with the Australia Day Volunteer Award by the West Tamar Council.

For more than 50 years, Ailsa has served on a multitude of committees and given freely of her time to assist her local community and rural women across Australia.

Kathy Bright was educated at the Joseph Wright Art School in Derby, United Kingdom. She married in 1963 and had three daughters.

Kathy trained as a nurse at the Nottingham General Hospital before migrating to Australia with her husband in 1964. Her husband was a Minister in the Uniting Church and she assisted him in church administration and activities in his postings in Victoria and later at Derby, Deloraine and Somerset in Tasmania.

After arriving in Derby in 1968, Kathy was instrumental in establishing a mobile kindergarten. She also provided Red Cross nursing services and taught first aid. While living in Deloraine, she was the caretaker of the local pool, a kindergarten aide and taught Sunday school. In 1974, the family moved to Somerset and Kathy became a youth group leader as well as continuing as a kindergarten aide.

Kathy became involved with Lifeline Australia in 1974, working for many years as a trainer of telephone and face-to-face counsellors. After her appointment as Director of Lifeline Northwest (1978-83), Kathy was responsible for the development and presentation of training courses and manuals, funding submissions and fundraising efforts.

From 1984 until 2003, Kathy was the Service Coordinator at the Warrawee Women’s Shelter in Ulverstone. In 1990, while a project officer on a Youth at Risk pilot, Kathy made a significant contribution to the establishment of the North West Sexual Assault Service. She has also been the longest serving member of the Women’s Emergency Service Program (1988-2001), a member of the Management Committee of the Burnie Youth Accommodation Service (1991-93) and served on two Ministerial advisory committees for domestic violence and sexual assault.

Kathy worked tirelessly in the community services sector to develop and support services for women and youth. A tragic event took place at Warawee in 2001, and as the worker on duty, Kathy’s actions were exemplary. She gave personal support to the other clients and assisted police and paramedics. In 2003, Warawee paid tribute to Kathy’s 19 years of dedicated service to women and children who are homeless or in crisis, citing her ‘outstanding, highly respected and valued’ contribution.

Kathy is currently working part time as a support officer at Burnie’s Oakleigh House, an emergency accommodation facility providing shelter for homeless people.

Daphne Brown was educated at Branxholm State School, Tasmania. She married in 1949 and had two children, a son and a daughter.

Daphne has provided many years of first aid support to her local community. In 1957 she completed a first aid course with St John Ambulance. A Foundation Member of the North East Division of St John Ambulance Brigade, Daphne dedicated many thousands of hours each year attending every major North Eastern event where a first aid presence was required. This included sporting events, the Scottsdale Show and the Derby River Derby. She also has helped to provide training courses to members of the community and at local schools. She has also actively participated in fund raising.

Daphne was the regular volunteer driver for the North East Ambulance, which was stationed at Derby and responsible for getting emergency cases from the outlying areas to the Scottsdale Hospital for treatment. In 1971 Daphne received one of the highest accolades awarded by St John Ambulance, the Certificate of Merit, for her role in keeping alive, during the 30 kilometre drive to the hospital, a sawmill worker who had severed his carotid artery. Over the years Daphne’s first aid skills have saved several lives.

Daphne also helped those who needed assistance to travel to medical appointments in Scottsdale and beyond. She would visit community members who were in poor health, and assist with household and gardening chores. Her loving and compassionate support has enabled elderly people to remain in their own homes as long as possible, including live-in support over several weeks to a very frail lady who was frightened of dying in hospital.

Daphne was admitted to the Order of St John Ambulance as a Serving Sister in 1976, and promoted to Officer Sister in 1993. She retired from the Brigade in 1995, although she continues to provide first aid assistance at Branxholm Football Club matches.

Daphne’s unstinting and dedicated service has been recognised by being named the first Citizen of the Year for the Ringarooma Municipality (1992). She was also awarded an Order of Australia (1997) for service to the community through St John Ambulance Australia for over 38 years.

Glenn Burt was educated at Queenstown Primary and Junior Technical High School. She married in 1954 and has four sons.

For fifty years Glenn has given generously of her time and energy to contribute to community organisations in George Town.

From 1957 until 1999 Glenn was a member of the Ladies Auxiliary of the George Town Urban Fire Brigade. As the wife of the Deputy Chief Officer, Glenn provided essential support in the operation of the station. She continued that role after her husband’s promotion to Chief Fire Officer. For her contribution, Glenn was made a Life Member of the George Town Fire Brigade in 1995.

As the Coordinator of the George Town Meals on Wheels Service from 1985-2000, Glenn managed the delivery of meals throughout the municipality and provided training to new volunteers. In 1999 Glenn received an Award for Outstanding Voluntary Service from the Australian Red Cross.

Glenn has been an active member of the Methodist and Uniting Church community since 1952. She has served as the Communion Officer and Steward, as a member of the Mission Group and the Church Council, and as editor of the Church’s weekly newsletter.

Glenn has found time to be an active participant in the Garden Club, becoming a Life Member in 1998. She was also a Foundation Member of the George Town Probus Club. She continues to contribute to the work of the George Town Historical Society and the Launceston Genealogical Society.

Heather Butler was educated at the Maffra State School and Highett High School. She entered Teachers College in 1966. She taught in several primary and high schools in Victoria before moving with her husband, son and two daughters to Tasmania in 1985. While she was teaching in Tasmania, she studied for an Arts Degree part time. In 1991, she began the successful tourism enterprise ‘Queechy Cottages’ at a time when the tourism potential of St Helens was not recognised.

Forming the St Helens Tourism Promotions Group, she worked to develop and promote tourism in the region. She and her husband built Tidal Water Restaurant, which provided additional employment and training in the region. Heather’s vision has helped to develop the St Helens tourism industry and it is now regarded as one of Tasmania’s premiere tour destinations.

Heather undertook a Social Work Degree with the University of Melbourne in 1987 and is now a qualified social worker. She has been using her skills to develop social work services in the Break O’Day municipality. She began counselling on a voluntary basis both in the community and at the St Helens High School. She, together with others, introduced a full-time social work facility in the St Helens Neighbourhood House Inc in 1992. In 2001, Heather instigated the youth network in St Helens and still fulfils an active mentoring role.

A Director of the TT Line Company, Heather is continuing to assist with the economic growth of Tasmania through shipping, transport and tourism. Her contribution is exemplified by her membership of Break O’Day Tourism Association Executive; East Coast Regional Tourism Association; Tourism Council of Tasmania; Independent Tourism Operators of Tasmania; St Helens and Districts Chamber of Commerce; St Helens Family History Research Group; University Rural District Health Forum; Eastern District Health Forum; St Helens Tourism Promotion Group Inc.; St Helens Neighbourhood House Inc.; Break O’Day Youth Network Inc.; Youth Access Group of St Helens; Australian Association of Social Workers; St Helens Uniting Church; and a Board Member of the North East Education Training Centre.

Joy Cairns attended Moonah Primary School and moved to Hobart High School as a 10 year old. Three years later, she became the youngest person to ever pass the Public Service entrance examination and started work in the Commonwealth Taxation Office.

Joining Women's Royal Australian Army Corps (CMF), Joy specialised as a training instructor and rose to the rank of Lieutenant. Married in 1964, she had three children, two born with severe intellectual disabilities, epilepsy and lymphoedema.

Distressed by the constant ostracism from community and lack of support services for people with disabilities, Joy led a delegation to Government seeking an agreement to provide basic activities and was offered funding on the condition that she coordinate the activities. In 1977, Joy started establishing programs including vacation care for children and adults, after school care, youth groups, evening social opportunities and respite for parents.

Determined to raise the status of sport and recreation for people with more severe disabilities, Joy personally established much-needed state and regional committees to support and encourage development and coordination around Tasmania.

As architect and founder of many organisations, Joy has averaged a 70-hour working week, harnessing hundreds of volunteers and supporters to provide essential services. She was the first Tasmanian elected to the National Executive of ACROD and appointed to the Disability Advisory Council of Tasmania and has held numerous positions with other disability organisations.

In 1980, Joy founded COSMOS Inc., the first recreation service in Australia specifically designed to support people with disabilities. By 1987, the service employed eight full-time and 26 part-time staff and more than 80 volunteers, providing for in excess of 650 clients. As Managing Director, Joy played an important role instigating integrated netball, basketball, extension scouts, cubs and guides, and organised training for Special Olympics in Southern Tasmania that encouraged statewide expansion.

In 1988, Joy founded AURORA Disability Services to provide vocational training opportunities. The Old Chapel tearooms and cottage craft outlet opened in 1993, enabling trainees, supported by volunteer staff, to operate a business enterprise.

Today Joy is the full-time volunteer Managing Director of AURORA, which has 263 clients, who are supported by 90 volunteers, and quietly provides a community service by supporting ageing carers.

In 1993, Joy received the Tasmanian Award for Humanitarian Activities "for her insight, initiative, dedication, commitment and advocacy for the benefit of people with disabilities".

For more than 35 years, Joy has pursued the unrelenting, selfless goal of providing for people in need and, through great adversity, she has built many organisations and created entities unsurpassed and unique within Australia. Joy’s work is the foundation for many disability service providers and she is acknowledged as an unprecedented pioneer.

Mollie is an inspirational role model in the community. She is a presence to be reckoned with at all community events and demonstrations. She is a strong supporter of human rights, the environment, and the local community and is a member of innumerable committees. Her energy is amazing. - Mary Lees

Mollie Campbell-Smith was born in Devonport and started her education at St Margaret’s Private School in Devonport. She continued her education at Methodist Ladies’ College in Launceston. She graduated with a Bachelor of Science from the University of Melbourne, and completed a Diploma of Education at the University of Tasmania. Mollie played hockey and represented the University of Melbourne, the State of Victoria and was a member of the Australian team. She married in 1942 and had five children, three sons and two daughters.

In 1955, as the Senior Science Teacher at the Methodist Ladies’ College (now Scotch Oakburn College), Mollie pioneered the development of the Interpersonal Relationships curriculum in Tasmanian schools. In 1963, her Interpersonal Relationships program was extended to government schools. Mollie taught Interpersonal Relationships at Scotch Oakburn until her retirement in 1986.

Mollie provided educational leadership - providing training to teaching students in interpersonal development, training teachers to work with abused children and survivors of child abuse and in the development and delivery of a senior physiology and anatomy course, which enabled students to enter paramedic courses.

In her retirement Mollie pursued a wide range of interests including women’s rights, mental health and parenting issues. Mollie maintained a significant voluntary workload and leadership roles as the President of the National Council of Women, the Northern Older Persons Reference Group, Vice President of the Tasmanian Richmond Fellowship, Chair of New Pin (New Parent Infant Network) and was a member of the Positive Ageing Consultative Committee. Mollie also served as State Commissioner of the Girl Guides (1983-88) and President of the Australian Federation of University Women (1988-91).

Mollie was a Director and Life Member of the American Field Service, Life Member and Tutor for LifeLink, Governor of the Tasmanian Community Foundation and a committee member of the Northern Regional Suicide Prevention Group and the Tasmania Dementia Care Group.

Mollie was awarded a Member of the Order of the British Empire in 1986. In 2000, Mollie was recognised as Citizen of the Year by the Launceston City Council.

Nell Carey was born at Howth and educated at the Sacred Heart School in Ulverstone, and Devonport and Burnie High Schools. She married in 1940 and had one daughter.

Nell graduated from the University of Tasmania with a Bachelor of Commerce in 1937. She subsequently taught at state high schools in Scottsdale, Burnie, Devonport and Hobart. Nell actively educated and encouraged women to participate in public life. She provided leadership by example, winning a seat on the Burnie Council in 1969. She was the second woman to be elected to the Council. She was also a member of the boards of Umina Park Nursing Home, the North West General Hospital and the State Library of Tasmania.

Nell had extensive community involvement statewide and was a member of the Victoria League, the Burnie Branch of Business and Professional Women, Red Cross, Retarded Children’s Welfare Association, the Burnie Police and Citizens Club, Girls Guides Association and Soroptimists International. Nell was State and Branch President of the Catholic Women’s League, being made a Life Member in 1960, and State President of the RSL Women’s Auxiliary. In 1971, she was honoured by The Mercury newspaper as a Woman of Achievement for 1970-71 and she received a Citizenship Award from the Ulverstone Apex Club in 1978.

Nell was active in a range of charitable endeavours and raised many hundreds of dollars each year as a button seller for welfare organisations. Nell’s contribution to the community and education was recognised when she was made a Member of the British Empire in 1967.

Nan Chauncy and her twin brother were born in London. She immigrated with her parents and siblings to Tasmania in 1912. Nan attended St Michael’s Collegiate School. In 1914, the family bought land at Bagdad to start an orchard, living on a neighbouring property while clearing the land and building a slab hut. This experience of the bush made an enormous impression on Nan as she explored the caves, creek and wildlife of the area. Nan’s eldest brother, Kay, bought an adjoining block of land on which the family built a cottage, ‘Day Dawn’. This is the house at Chauncy Vale where Nan wrote her novels.

In the 1920s, Nan travelled to England to see family and study to be a Guide Leader. Guiding was a lifelong interest for Nan and in 1921 she was appointed as Captain of the First Claremont Company. In the 1950s, she became a Commissioner of Guides and editor of the official journal The Camp Fire.

From 1923 until 1930, Nan was employed as a women’s welfare officer at the Cadbury-Fry chocolate factory in Claremont. Retrenched at the beginning of the Depression, she again travelled to England where she lived for several years.

In 1938, Nan returned to Australia and married Anton Rosenfeldt. Kay gave the couple ‘Day Dawn’ as a wedding present. Their daughter, Heather, was born in November 1939. They changed their names to Chauncy, the surname of Nan’s paternal grandmother, in 1949 to avoid the stigma attached to German names at that time.

Nan and Anton bought 1000 acres of bush next to Chauncy Vale and in July 1946 the property was declared a wildlife sanctuary. This was the first area of dry bushland to be conserved and the largest conservation area at that time in the Southern Midlands.

Nan was contracted to write 30 scripts a year for the Tasmanian ABC Youth Education Department. Her bestselling novel, They Found a Cave, was published in 1948. It sold over 50,000 copies and was made into a film in the 1960s.

Nan’s interest in wildlife, aboriginal culture and pioneer country living is reflected in her 14 children’s novels. Her books Tiger in the Bush (1956), Devil’s Hill (1959) and Tangara (1961) won acclaim in Australia and overseas, winning three Children’s Book Council, Book Of The Year awards, and several international awards. Her books were translated into 14 languages and Braille.

Nan’s books broke new ground in children’s writing in Australia. She pioneered realistic novels and an interest in conservation. Anton bequeathed the Chauncy Vale Wildlife Sanctuary to the Southern Midlands Council in 1988, with Heather Chauncy simultaneously gifting the house and home paddocks.

Janet Clingeleffer began her education in Queensland and moved to Burnie in 1962 where she attended Burnie High School. Janet is married with two daughters.

As a young woman, Janet was active in the Tasmanian Marching Girls, becoming the first woman to act as Chief Judge in 1966, and received a Life Membership of the Marching Girls in 1967. Janet has also had a long involvement with the Burnie Callisthenics Club.

Janet has dedicated 35 years of service to the surf life saving movement in Tasmania. Her involvement began in 1979 when she joined the Junior Activities Committee as a parent member. From 1985-1987 she served as Chairperson of the Committee. In 1989 Janet became the first woman to be elected as Club Captain, a position she held for two years. Another ‘first’ came in 1998 when she was the first woman to be elected State President (1998-2002). Along the way Janet has undertaken a multitude of official positions including Club President, Secretary, Treasurer, State Delegate, State Councillor, and Australian Councillor.

In 1999 Janet was honoured as a Life Member of the Burnie Surf Life Saving Club. Further recognition of Janet’s contribution to life saving came with the awarding of an Australian Sports Medal (2000), Centenary Medal (2001), and a Burnie Unsung Hero Award (2002).

As the Burnie Life Saving Club delegate, Janet has also assisted with the running of the Burnie Ten event for the last 20 years. Her contribution has been integral to its success and recognition.

There are special people in the world that bring compassion, enthusiasm, commitment, friendship and generosity into the lives of others – Jill was one of these people. - Kate Kent

Jill Coleman was born in Burnie, the eldest of three children. She excelled at school and also had a special talent for music and sport. She became the school pianist while a student at Burnie High School, composing the Burnie School song. She was Head Prefect and sports captain.

Jill married in 1959 and had four children, three sons and a daughter. She was heavily involved in community and social activities in Burnie while working as a music teacher. She contributed for several decades to the advancement of Tasmanian women’s hockey, as a player, umpire and administrator with the Tasmanian Women’s Hockey Association.

Jill moved to Hobart with her husband and continued her community activities. She was a long time member of organisations such as the National Council of Women, Business and Professional Women (BPW), Council of the Ageing and the Working Women’s Centre. Jill was also involved in the Friends of the Museum; Friends of the TSO; University of the Third Age; Musica Viva; Victoria League; the Burnie Surf Club Ladies Auxiliary; Tasmanian Music Teacher's Association; a church member and organist at Holy Trinity; and a volunteer at Aurora Disability Services. Jill was a member of the governance benchmarking committee for Tasmania Together, again contributing in a positive way to the future of the State.

One of Jill’s many contributions to Hobart BPW was establishing a scholarship at the University of Tasmania for a female student in a non-traditional field of learning. Hobart BPW recently decided to name this the Jill Coleman Memorial Scholarship in recognition of her endeavours.

Jill continued giving to her community after her untimely death, as she was an organ donor whose foresight and courage has enhanced the lives of her organ recipients.

Shriley Coombe was educated at St Mary’s Convent School in Launceston. She married in 1953 and had two sons.

Shirley established the kiosk at the Nazareth House Aged Care facility in 1980 and remained as a volunteer for 20 years. In 1986 she was asked to help with the St Vincent’s Hospital kiosk, a role she undertook for 19 years.

Shirley’s involvement with the Peace Haven Hostel began in 1996 when her mother entered the home as a resident. Shirley became involved with the ADARDS Dementia Centre, gaining a deep understanding of dementia. She strived to increase her knowledge of the effects of dementia through reading and participating in the Auxiliary’s educational activities. As her understanding of resident’s needs grew, so did her commitment to assist in a range of aged care activities. Her current voluntary service includes being a librarian at the Aldersgate Home for the Aged, activities assistant at the Masonic Homes Fred French Unit and as a volunteer at the Masonic Homes Peacehaven Special Care Unit.

Shirley loves to sing and is a member of the Melody Makers Choir that sings at various aged care facilities. She has been a member of the Seniors Choir for 14 years and also sings with the Glee Club and church choirs.

Although Shirley is now living in a retirement facility, she maintains a wide range of community interests. Shirley is a member of both the Launceston musical Society and the Launceston Players and volunteers for many of their productions. For the past eight years she has also been an active fundraiser for the North Launceston Football Club.

Shirley has been a member of the Norwood Ladies Probus Club for 10 years and has held the position of welfare officer for seven years.

Roxy Cowie was educated at St Marys District School in Launceston. She married in 1975 and had two daughters.

Roxy started work as a receptionist with the St Marys medical practice at the age of 17. Her employer was the only doctor servicing towns as far afield as Avoca, Bicheno and St Helens. She was often called upon to assist the doctor in the surgery.

Roxy has undertaken a diverse range of voluntary roles, and was instrumental in establishing community groups to meet local needs. In 1976 Roxy completed a first aid course and joined the St John Ambulance. After qualifying as an Instructor in 1976 she began a long career as an unpaid trainer. In 1980 she resigned from paid employment to care for a sick child but she continued as a First Aid Trainer and became involved in a range of community organisations. She joined the CWA, and was a founding member of both the Fingal Book Club and the Fingal Historical Society.

In 1982 Roxy and other local mothers started a playgroup. In 1985 she completed a Volunteer Ambulance course becoming a Tasmanian Ambulance Service volunteer. For 10 years she assisted in the administration and fundraising efforts of the Fingal Rifle Club. Since 1990 Roxy has also assisted the organisers of Camp Quality to conduct two camps every year in the Fingal Valley.

In 1991 Roxy’s dedication to first aid training was formally recognised when she was inducted into the Order of St John Ambulance. Between 1992-99 Roxy’s voluntary role with the St John Ambulance expanded to include State Training Officer and subsequently State Training and Sales Manager. In 2001, Roxy was promoted to the position of Officer Sister. In 1998, she took on the role as trainer with the Fingal Football Club and now is responsible for three teams each season.

Roxy continues to give freely of her time in service to her community. This was recognised when she received an Order of Australia Medal in 2003 for her service to the community of the Fingal Valley, and her commitment to working for St John Ambulance.

Winifred Curtis attended school in England and India before entering University College, in London, in 1924. She graduated in 1927 with a Bachelor of Science degree in botany, chemistry and physics, winning a gold medal and a prize for botany. She was granted a postgraduate scholarship for women and enrolled in an honours degree in botany. Winifred enjoyed working as a demonstrator in the Botany Department, but was unable to gain permanent appointment. She enrolled at the Cambridge Teachers College and in 1931 obtained her Teachers Certificate. Appointed as the Senior Science Mistress at a Girls High School in Manchester, Winifred continued her research and was awarded a Masters degree in 1939.

After her father’s retirement, Winifred and her parents decided to emigrate to Australia, arriving in Hobart in 1939. Winifred secured two part-time jobs, one as a science teacher at Fahan Girls’ School and the other as a demonstrator in the Schools of Botany and Zoology at the University of Tasmania. She was the second woman to be appointed to the academic staff of the university.

Winifred went on to become one of the founding staff members of the Botany Department and was offered an assistant lectureship in biology in 1942. Winifred was active in locating much of the equipment needed for the Botany Department and assembled the plant collections in her spare time. Appointed as a lecturer in 1945, Winifred obtained her PhD from University College, London, in 1950. Subsequent positions in the Biology Departments included Reader and Acting Head of Department.

Winifred wrote extensively on the endemic flora of Tasmania starting in 1945, with the four-volume The Students’ Flora of Tasmania, an ambitious undertaking that continued into her retirement. In 1948 frustrated by the reliance on British biology textbooks, Winifred wrote the first school certificate biology text for Australian high schools. She was the author of over 50 scientific papers and between 1967 and 1978 wrote the text for six volumes of The Endemic Flora of Tasmania sponsored by Lord Talbot de Malahide.

Winifred retired in 1966 and was appointed as an Honorary Research Fellow in botany at the University. Her published work submitted to the University of London earned her a DSc degree in 1968. Winifred played a key role in establishing the Tasmanian Herbarium in 1977 in which she maintained a lifelong interest.

Winifred’s valuable contribution to the understanding of Tasmanian flora has been recognised in many ways including the establishment of the Winifred Curtis Scamander Reserve and the naming of the Winifred Curtis Laboratories in the Department of Plant Science at the University. In 1977, Winifred was made a Member of the Order of Australia. In 1987 the University of Tasmania awarded her an honorary DSc.

Winifred was described as "the botanist whose texts have defined Tasmanian flora". Winifred was one of Australia’s most distinguished botanists and held in high esteem for her willingness to unstintingly share her scholarship with others.

I enjoy working on large-scale commissions and community projects, as well as doing exhibition work. I strongly believe in the incorporation of art in the environment and daily life. - Chantale Delrue

Chantale Delrue was born and educated in Belgium. She obtained tertiary degrees in education and fine arts before migrating to Tasmania in 1980. She has continued with her academic achievements in Tasmania, obtaining a Bachelor of Arts in Fine Arts from the TSIT in Launceston in 1988. She is currently completing her Masters in Fine Arts at the University of Tasmania. She has actively pursued her chosen profession as an artist through community arts events and gallery based works.

Chantale’s community arts projects have included working with: the Launceston Migrant Resource Centre; Trevallyn Primary School; Exeter High School; Glen Dhu Primary School; Bagdad Primary School; Teenage Road Show; Warrnambool Art Gallery; Burnie Creative Living Centre; Tasdance; Ritchies Mill Arts Centre; Devonport Community Health Centre; Devonport High School; Penguin Primary School; Launceston General Hospital; Ravenswood High School; Ravenswood Primary School; Devonport Loading Zone; Launceston Festivale; Colony 47; the Mount Nelson community; the Mountain Festival; and East Devonport Primary School.

She uses her skills to work closely with a broad spectrum of people including refugees, migrants, the elderly, the disabled and disadvantaged young people. Chantale has had stunning results working with these groups, allowing them to enjoy art by actually doing it. As an artist, she has strengthened Tasmanian communities by creating links, passing on skills, lifting confidence and building relationships. She uses art and creativity to add meaning and expression to people’s lives.

Professionally, Chantale has enjoyed success with her many exhibitions over the past 20 years. In 1990, she was invited to Japan to create a work for the 25th anniversary of the sister city link between Launceston and Ikeda. In 1998, she was chosen as the artist representing Belgium at the Festival of International Understanding in Cowra, NSW, and in 2000 she was artist in residence at the Canberra Museum and Art Gallery. In 2005, Chantale received a grant from Arts Tasmania to take an exhibition of her work to Belgium.

In spite of her impressive achievements, she still has future goals, which include promoting peace and harmony through arts, drawing attention to environmental issues through the use of art and enhancing the built environment.

Born in Wales, Jackie Dermody was educated in Rhodesia, the United Kingdom and Malaysia. Her family immigrated to Australia in 1965, coming to Tasmania a year later. Jackie worked as the secretary to the Professor of Geography at the University of Tasmania from 1970-74. She married in 1971 and had three children, two sons and a daughter.

Jackie started delivering Meals on Wheels in Glenorchy when her son was in kindergarten. She would collect her son from school and they would finish the run together, as she believed in the importance of instilling an appreciation for community service in children. Jackie has served as a volunteer with Meals on Wheels continuously since 1984, apart from four years employment as their State Executive Officer. She has also served terms as Tasmanian Secretary and National Secretary.

Jackie’s experience in Meals on Wheels made her very aware of the nutrition needs of older people. She discussed her concerns with a dietician and in 2000 they developed the Eating with Friends pilot at West Moonah. Jackie was the coordinator of the pilot program, which was subsequently adopted by the Glenorchy City Council. Jackie is on the Steering Committee and has helped set up 33 groups around the State and developed an information manual.

Jackie also has an extensive record of volunteer service with the Safety House Association. In 1986, she formed a Regional Committee for Southern Tasmania and set up the third Safety House Scheme in Tasmania. Since 1988, Jackie has been State Secretary of the Safety House Association and has served two terms as State Treasurer. There are now 75 Safety House Schemes operating statewide. Jackie has also served terms as National Secretary (1997-2000) and National President (1995-97). As National President, she was instrumental in securing funding to ensure the continued operation of the National Office.

Jackie has been a member of the Glenorchy City Council’s Safer Communities Committee since 1996. In 2004, she was honoured as the Citizen of the Year by the Glenorchy City Council and named as State Volunteer of the Year by the Crime Prevention and Community Safety Council.

Jackie has also trained as a mentor for the Glenorchy City Council’s Mentoring Program. The program’s emphasis is on assisting and encouraging people to become community leaders.

The Lempriere motto is ‘Eagles do not bring forth doves’. All who knew Granny would understand that. But she was not all eagle - she was devout, loving and compassionate. Nevertheless there was no doubt about her energy and fighting qualities. It was a family joke that she was the President of nearly everything! - Family reminiscence of her granddaughter

Emily Dobson was born at Port Arthur, the second youngest of 14 children, and educated at home by her father. At 25, she married Hobart lawyer Henry Dobson. Her husband embarked on a political career in 1891 as the MHA for Brighton, serving as Premier from 1892-94 and entering Federal Parliament in 1901.

Emily was a notable local leader of women’s organisations and prominent in charitable endeavours from the early 1890s. She had an enormous range of interests including the Women's Sanitary Association, which pressured local government for sanitary reform; Free Kindergarten Association; Blind, Deaf and Dumb Society; Brabazon Society; Union Jack Society; Child Welfare Association; Tasmanian Branch of the League of Nations and many others.

During the depression of 1892-95, Emily organised a soup kitchen that supplied up to 1000 meals a day. She was Head of the Ladies’ Committee for the Southport Settlement, which raised funds through fairs, entertainments and balls to assist the poor to become independent farmers.

Emily provided the impetus for many enduring community organisations as the founder of the Ministering Children's League; Alliance Francaise; Victorian Convalescent Home at Lindisfarne; Girls Guide Association; Lyceum Club; and the Tasmanian Sanatorium for Consumptives.

The 1890s was a time of change and increased activity for women, with many involved in charitable and public organisations. The Dobson family’s affluence enabled Emily's participation in a vast range of charities, assisted by household staff and a full-time private secretary. She represented Tasmanian women at international forums, with 33 trips to Britain and Europe and a further 67 away from the state.

Emily was a founding member and mainstay of the National Council of Women (NCW) for 30 years, serving as Tasmanian president from 1902 until her death. She was the first Australian president (1906-34), an international vice-president and Life Member. In recognition of her contribution, in 1919 the Tasmanian NCW established the Emily Dobson Philanthropic Prize for welfare organisations.

Emily’s influence was felt well beyond her home state. She represented the Australian Government at the 1899 Peace Conference at The Hague and was appointed by the Deakin Ministry to represent Australia at the International Women’s Suffrage Congress in Amsterdam. In 1930, Emily was appointed to the League of Nations Assembly for her valuable contribution to local, national and international councils.

Great integrity, quiet wisdom, and a ‘no-nonsense’ approach – all contribute to the essence of ‘Glad’. Glad’s contribution to the work of the NCWT over the last four decades has been at the highest level and distinguished by her outstanding competency and dedication. - Eris Smyth, National Council of Women

Born in Dunedin, New Zealand, Gladys Dodson arrived in Australia at the age of 11. She attended Hobart High School and in 1941 graduated with a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Tasmania. She married in 1943 and had four children, two sons and two daughters.

Gladys joined the Australian Federation of University Women (AFUW) in Launceston in 1959 and went on to serve in a range of committee positions including President, Secretary, Treasurer and Newsletter Editor. She represented the AFUW on the Jane Franklin Hall Council for nine years and served as Secretary to the Federal Council from 1988-1991. Her service was recognised with a Life Membership in 1986.

Gladys was a delegate to the National Council of Women Tasmania (NCWT) in 1966, becoming an Executive Committee Member in 1967 as Convenor for the Trades and Professions. This was the first of many roles she would occupy in NCWT. She served as an office holder continuously through the intervening years, as President from 1974-77, Secretary 1982-86, and Minutes Secretary from 1996 to the present day. Gladys has attended many national conferences of the NCW Australia and was made a Life Member in 1980.

Gladys undertook much of the research, and was the editor of the History of the NCWT published to mark the centenary of its foundation in May 1999.

Her other community involvements have included being a foundation member of the Tasmanian Conservation Trust, a member of the Australian Plants Society, the Hamilton Literary Society, and the Montagu Bay Primary School Parents and Friends Association.

Born in Devonport, Jane Donohue was educated at the Devonport High School and the Methodist Ladies' College in Launceston.

Jane is an accomplished sportswoman and has represented Tasmania in tennis, hockey and golf. In 1952, she was Tasmanian Ladies Doubles Tennis Champion. In 1958, she was a member of the Tasmanian State Hockey team. Jane was made a Life Member of the Devon Women’s Hockey Association in 1963 and a Life Member of Old Devonians Association Women’s Hockey Club in 1974.

Jane started playing golf in 1970 and has won countless club, regional, State and national titles since then. She has been the Tasmanian Veterans Winner on eight occasions and North West Seniors Champion on nine occasions. Jane was one of the Australian National Foursomes Handicap Winners in 1997 and won the Australian Super Veterans Flight Championship in 2004.

Since her retirement in 1993, Jane has undertaken a significant voluntary role at the Devonport Golf Club including office duties, tree planting, bar and kitchen duties.

Jane joined Soroptimist International of Devonport in 1962 and has been active in the club’s fundraising and charity work. She has held a number of executive roles including President of the Devonport group (1973-74 and 1989-90) and State President (1986-87). Other roles have included terms as State and Branch Secretary and Public Officer.

In 1996 Chantál Duerinckx established a long day care centre, the Stepping Stone Children’s Centre, in Ulverstone. This was followed a year later by an Outside Schools Hour Care service. Chantál has continued to expand her childcare services to meet local needs and now operates eleven services employing over 38 staff. In 2004 she established Stepping Ahead Training and Development to deliver quality industry training. She has had a significant impact on regional employment outcomes and in the expansion of child care choices for working families.

Chantál has been an invited speaker at numerous national and international conferences to promote excellence in child care; to raise the profile of early years care and education; and to promote professionalism within the sector. Chantál has contributed expert advice as a member of government and non-government boards some of which include the Ministerial Child Care Advisory Council, the Good Beginnings Reference Committee, and the Confident Kids-Connected Communities Steering Committee. Her contribution to children’s well being was acknowledged by two Awards for Educational Excellence in 2002 and a further Award in 2004.

Since 1999 Chantál has coordinated sponsorship for the Ratu Filise Memorial School in Namatakula Village in the Fiji Islands. She also provides advice and support to Fijian organisations in the development of early years and child care services.

A sole parent with three children, a son and two daughters, Chantál provides an inspirational role model for women in business.

Joyce Dulfer-Hyams was educated at St Michael’s Collegiate College. She attended university for two years, studying English and Drama. She married and had one son.

After leaving school Sue set up her own studio teaching speech and drama. She was a member of the Repertory Society and enjoyed acting. During the war, she was secretary to a US Army Intelligence officer based in Sydney.

Following her marriage in Hobart in about 1945, Sue moved to Launceston. She produced six half-hour radio documentaries on the activities of United Nations agencies. After moving to Hobart, Sue began a career in public relations becoming the first woman PR specialist to operate in Tasmania. She was the producer of This Week in Tasmania for many years. She was made a Life Member of the Public Relations Institute of Australia.

Sue was a founding member of the Tasmanian Branch of the United Nations Association in 1945. She was the first woman President of the association and her strong support throughout the years was recognised with her being made a Life Member and receiving the United Nations Day Award in 2001. In her last years, she recorded an oral history of her recollections of the association, providing a valuable record of its activities since inception.

Sue joined the National Council of Women of Tasmania (NCWT) in 1970. She served several terms as convenor on areas of special interest to her – the mass media, law and suffrage and the arts. She served as President for three years (1981-84) and Vice President for six years. Sue’s service to the NCWT was recognised when she was made a Life Member in 1984.

Sue was an active member of the Friends of the Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery, serving as an Executive Member for eight years. She had wide ranging community interests as a member of the Australia-China Friendship Society; the Ionian Club of Launceston; the Hamilton Literary Society; and the Lower Sandy Bay Probus Club. Sue made an extensive contribution to the restoration of the Female Factory Site in South Hobart, through her research and other volunteer efforts.

Dorothy Edwards grew up in Deloraine, where her father was the Council Clerk. She was educated at Launceston High School, the University of Tasmania and the London School of Economics, acquiring a Masters of Arts. Dorothy taught at Launceston High School for many years. She married and had two sons.

Dorothy Edwards joined the National Council of Women (NCW) as Secretary and was active in the campaign to force the Launceston City Council to amend the Corporations Act to allow women to stand for election as aldermen. Dorothy had a long-standing interest in local government given her father’s career, and her own experience, as a Council Clerk. The Corporations Act was amended in 1945 and in December 1949 Dorothy became the first woman not only to seek election for the Launceston City Council, but also to be elected. In a field of seven candidates, Dorothy finished second in the poll.

Dorothy served as an Alderman for 15 years and was Mayor from December 1955 to December 1957. She counted among her achievements the building of the City Baths at Windmill Hill, flood prevention measures and the opening of a by-products plant for the Killafaddy Abattoirs.

Dorothy continued to be active in civic life after her retirement from Council. She was a member of the ABC Board (1962-1975); the State Library Board (1953-78); the Decimal Currency Committee (1959-60); the Queen Victoria Hospital Board (1958); the Tasmanian Orchestra Advisory Committee (1953-54); and Chairman of the Interim Board of the Launceston General Hospital (1971-72).

Dorothy’s contribution to the National Council of Women was significant at both the local and international level, serving as Vice-Treasurer (1963-70) and Vice President (1963-79) of the International Council of Women. Dorothy was Life Vice President of the National Council of Women Australia. She was a member of the Women Graduate’s Association and the Business and Professional Women’s Club.

Dorothy was made an Officer of the Order of the British Empire in 1958 and a Commander (Civil) in 1979. She was admitted as an Honorary Freeman of the City of Launceston in recognition and acknowledgment of her distinguished service to Tasmania through her long association with local government, community and cultural organisations.

Kim Fazackerley attended Clarence High School and Rosny College. Kim is the only Tasmanian woman cricketer to have been selected for both Test and International Cricket matches. Her Test match debut was in the 1991-92 season against England and she made her One Day International debut in the same season.

Kim played three Tests and nine One Day Internationals for Australia between 1991 and 1996. She was an opening fast bowler for Australia and an all-rounder in State cricket and represented and captained Tasmania, Queensland and the Australian Capital Territory. She is a qualified Level 2 Australian Cricket Board Accredited Coach and has coached several teams including Mullumbimby Brunswick Men’s Club and the Beenleigh Logan Women’s Club.

A talented sportswoman, Kim has represented Tasmania, ACT, Queensland and Australia in indoor cricket. She also represented Tasmania in junior softball and lacrosse.

Kim is currently living on the Gold Coast and is employed as a paramedic with the Queensland Ambulance Service (Gold Coast region). Kim is also a qualified remedial massage therapist and is the Head Sports Trainer for the Beenleigh Buffaloes AFL club.

Joan Fitz-Nead trained as a nurse in general practice in midwifery in Melbourne in the early 1950s and worked in that occupation in Australia, England and Canada.

After moving to Tasmania in 1964, Joan trained as a teacher, teaching secondary school maths and science in Tasmanian high schools and lecturing in health sciences in Canada. Joan was invited to set up and manage a special school for high school girls from the greater Hobart area who had been suspended or were at risk of expulsion from other schools. In the four years that Joan taught at Nangaree, she confronted other educators about the issues that brought young women to the school. This led to a number of positive outcomes that still endure in the education system today.

Joan was appointed Head of the School of Child Care Studies at TAFE Tasmania and was instrumental in initiating a national Child Care Associate Diploma Course. This facilitated the restructuring of the career path for child carers. During the 1970s, Joan chaired the Alcohol and Drug Dependency Tribunal.

After retiring from the State public service, Joan was appointed as a Senior Member of the Social Security Appeals Tribunal, where her strong commitment to the principles of social justice facilitated the work of the Tribunal in hearing appeals against decisions made by Centrelink.

Between 1991 and 1993, Joan helped establish, and then served as Chair of, the St John’s Park Residents’ Advocacy Committee. The Committee implemented residents’ rights and complaints procedures at St John’s Park, which was a forerunner of similar services established in other parts of Tasmania.

For the past 30 years, Joan has been a tireless worker in a diverse range of community organisations, being a representative on a number of boards and management committees. Joan’s community work has included being a Trustee of the Tasmanian Peace Trust, Co-founder of the Peace Park in West Hobart and being instrumental in the declaration of Forest Road, in West Hobart, as a 'Street for Peace'.

Joan joined the Republican Movement in Tasmania and served as the State Convenor (1997-98) and then as a member of the Executive Committee (1998-2000).

In 2003, Joan was appointed to the Accountability Working Group as part of the Review of the Local Government Act. Joan is currently a member of the Medical Complaints Tribunal. She is a former member of the Optometrists Board of Tasmania.

In 1995, Joan received a Tasmania Day Medal for Community Service and in the 2003 Australia Day Awards she received the Australia Medal for her contribution to a number of health, social welfare and education services.

We needed pride in this community. We needed something to smile and laugh about and we needed to stop being told that we were bad or naughty or in some way not doing it right. - Cris, ABC Stateline 2004

Cris Fitzpatrick worked tirelessly to make Bridgewater-Gagebrook a better place to live by improving the economic, social and physical environment of the area. Having lived as a Housing Commission tenant with two young daughters to support and limited job skills, she had first hand experience of the struggles being faced by others in her community. By her efforts, belief and dedication she inspired confidence and pride in the residents in these public housing communities.

Several years ago Cris started the Women’s Room with limited resources. From this she founded and directed the Bridgewater and Gagebrook Urban Renewal Project (BURP) in 1996. Cris generated community enthusiasm for BURP initiatives and was instrumental in changing the lives of residents and community perceptions of the area. Projects initiated by BURP have included adult literacy classes, tree planting programs, women’s self defence classes, a needle exchange service, a youth nightclub, community festivals, sporting rosters, and, a home loan scheme. A symbolic turning point occurred when the Christmas float made by local primary schools won the Best Community Float in the 1998 Hobart Christmas Pageant. The Bridgewater-Gagebrook community went on to win seven awards in the 2001 Tidy Towns Competition.

BURP has made a real difference to the lives of people in the Bridgewater-Gagebrook communities. Reduced vandalism and crime rates, a visible improvement in community pride and national recognition as one of the most successful community development projects in Australia are a testament to its success.

Cris was elected to the Brighton Council in 2000. In 2002, she was appointed to the Tasmania Together Progress Board. She received a Centenary Medal in 2002 and was awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia in 2003 in recognition of her service to the communities of Bridgewater and Gagebrook.

Cris lost her long battle with cancer in January 2004. Her tireless contribution to the communities of Bridgewater and Gagebrook, which she loved so passionately, are a legacy that will endure for future generations. In 2004, Brighton Council renamed Tottenham Park, the Cris Fitzpatrick Community Park as a tribute to her vision.

Perhaps the most important importation of all sheep was that made by Eliza Forlong and her sons, having personally selected flock of the very finest pure merino sheep. Forlong blood has meant much to the super-fine flocks of Australia, and there are very few clips of superfine quality which do not have a liberal infusion of it, either directly or indirectly. - R Taylor Winton

Born in Glasgow, Elizabeth Jack married John Forlong in 1804. They lost their first four children to tuberculosis. When William, one of their two surviving sons, developed symptoms of tuberculosis in 1826, Elizabeth and John resolved to emigrate to a warmer climate in the hope of improving his health. The family decided to establish themselves in New South Wales as producers of Saxon merino wool. Eliza undertook the task of selecting the finest merino sheep in Saxony. She travelled by foot, buying sheep for William’s voyage on the Clansman in 1829 and for her own voyage on the Czar in 1830. In all, Eliza and her sons walked across Saxony three times, leading flocks of 100 sheep to the port at Hamburg.

In June 1829, 16-year-old William sailed for New South Wales with a flock of seven rams and 90 ewes. The Clansman stopped at Hobart en route, where Governor Arthur recognised the value of the flock and persuaded William to take up a large grant of land near Campbell Town. On reaching Van Diemens Land in January 1831, Eliza, John and Andrew, and a second flock, joined William at the Kenilworth property. These sheep formed the basis of the Winton superfine stud at Campbell Town, Australia’s pre-eminent superfine wool stud, and the neighbouring St Johnstone stud.

In 1839, frustrated by their lack of a river frontage and unhappy about their failure to secure additional land grants at Kenilworth, the widowed Eliza and her sons moved to the Port Phillip District, taking a flock of 1200 sheep. In 1844, the Forlong family sold Kenilworth and 4000 prize merinos to the Taylor family, the owners of the Winton stud.

Eliza continued to take an active role in the family’s pastoral interests until her death in 1859 at William’s property, Seven Creeks Station, near Euroa. Her grave is marked by the Forlong Memorial, on the creek flats of the property. In 1940, Lady Clark, wife of the Governor, unveiled a sundial to perpetuate the memory of Eliza at the Kenilworth Estate.

Image: Forlong Memorial, Euroa

Patricia Gartlan was educated at the Sacre Coeur Convent and the Catholic Ladies College in Melbourne. In the mid 1950s she obtained her Pharmacy Degree at the Victorian College of Pharmacy. She married in 1960 and had five children, three daughters and two sons. As well as meeting the demands of a large family, Patricia saw a need to assist other women through their pregnancies, as she understood the pressures on expectant mothers and their families. She had a particular need to assist mothers faced with unexpected pregnancies.

In August 1975, a small group of women in Hobart formed the Tasmanian Pregnancy Support Service. This was subsequently linked with other pregnancy support services throughout Australia and the Australian Federation of Pregnancy Support Services was founded. Patricia was on the national executive and served a term as National President. She and her helpers were able to build a support service for pregnant women, which has been operating effectively for 30 years. Pregnancy Counselling and Support sees about 400 clients each year, offering emotional, physical and material help to pregnant women and their families.

In the early days, Patricia trained the service’s counsellors and helpers herself until the Federation decided to have its counsellors accredited, through professional training.

On retirement, Patricia served a two-year term as President of the Catholic Women’s League (CWL). The CWL deals with social justice issues, striving to create better conditions for all in our society. Patricia was an ideal President, for as her admirers state, ‘she is a born leader’. She has continually given her time and she continues to work selflessly for the community.

Sandra Gillanders' family owned and operated a horticultural business but she decided to pursue a career in accountancy. She moved into the commercial seafood industry in the early 1990s, initially as accountant, office manager and HR Manager of Poulos Seafood/Tas Crays Pty Ltd. She became General Manager in 1995, a young, female manager in a male-dominated industry.

Sandra has been a significant contributor to increasing the visibility of women in the seafood/fisheries sector. She has encouraged many young people in the industry to develop their skills and was instrumental in establishing the Tasmanian Fishing Industry Council’s first leadership development program in 2004.

Her corporate governance roles include: Director and Treasurer of the Tasmanian Fishing Industry Council (1999-2005); Board of the Tasmanian Aquaculture and Fisheries Institute (2005-current); Australian Maritime College Council (2004-current); Board Member of Seafood Training Tasmania; and the Fishing Industry Training Board (1993-current).

Sandra has received many awards in acknowledgement of her achievements including: being a category winner in the Telstra Tasmanian Businesswoman of the Year (1999 and 2002); Runner up of the Tasmanian Rural Industries Research and Development Corporation; Rural Woman of the Year; a $40,000 scholarship for the Australian Rural Leadership Program; and a Fisheries Research and Development Corporation bursary to represent the Australian seafood industry at the 3rd World Congress of Rural Women in Spain.

She founded WINSC (Women Industry Network Seafood Community) in 1998 in Tasmania. Through this network, she has been able to help other women in the seafood industry build their skills and meet women in similar roles. Her involvement with WINSC has extended nationally, including a period as National President. She has been a strong voice in the National Rural Women’s Coalition, of which she was the National President, ensuring her industry’s issues are heard in these forums.

Sandra’s vision to develop skills for people and mentor their growth ensures that Tasmania will have future leaders to take on the decision-making roles in the seafood/fisheries sector.

Iris Graham was the pioneer of performing arts in Burnie. She either inaugurated or was an active contributor to every arts organisation in Burnie from the 1940s until her death in 1990.

Born in Victoria, Iris came to Tasmania at the age of four. Iris boarded at the Deloraine Convent before finishing her schooling at Stella Maris, Burnie, where her exceptional musical talent was recognised. Iris married in 1939 and had three sons and a daughter.

Iris had been offered a scholarship to study opera overseas, however she was prevented from pursuing this by the outbreak of World War II. She opened a music shop in Burnie and began teaching music and singing. She was also the organist at the Burnie’s Star of the Sea Church.

One of the first choral groups in Burnie was the Country Women’s Association Choir, Iris was an early member and continued as its conductor for some 30 years. Another of Iris’s initiatives was the formation, training and leadership of the Burnie Glee Club (now known as the Burnie Musical Society) in 1946. In 1956, the Glee Club presented the first of many full-scale musical productions.

Iris also established the Burnie Eisteddfod Society, was a long time President of the Tasmanian Music Teachers Association, and was active in the Arts Council.

In 1953, Iris became the first woman elected to the Burnie Municipal Council, serving until 1957. As a Councillor, Iris initiated the Burnie Thirty Thousand League, which played a strategic role in developing community support for the push to transform Burnie from an industrial town to a provincial city.

Iris was also involved in the Women’s Committee of the Burnie Surf Life Saving Club, and was a member of the North West ALP Sisterhood for most of her adult life. Iris contested a Legislative Council seat in May 1971, winning a healthy 40 per cent of the vote against the sitting member who was also the President of the Legislative Council. Following his death, Iris contested a by-election in December of the same year, but was not successful.

Iris was made a Life Member of the Burnie Eisteddfod Society and the Tasmanian Music Teachers Association. In 1981, she was awarded an Order of Australia Medal for her contribution to the community and the arts.

Born in Queenstown, Betty Grey was educated in Hobart and gained a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Tasmania in 1944 while concurrently completing her teacher training at the Phillip Smith Training College. She taught at Huonville and Smithton High Schools, before becoming Senior Mistress at the Launceston Matriculation College and Vice Principal at Alanvale College. She married in 1947 and had two children, a son and a daughter.

Betty’s professional career and voluntary involvement have been characterised by her commitment to human rights and to promoting the status of women, education and equal opportunity.

A Life Member and former Vice-President, of the Tasmanian Teacher’s Federation, Betty was active in lobbying for a Status of Women Committee and became the convenor and representative on the national body. The committee was formed to support and enhance the position of women teachers in both their professional and union participation. Betty continued to contribute to educational life through her executive membership of the Retired Teacher’s Association, and as a Life Member of the Tasmanian Branch of the Australian Federation of University Women.

Betty is a Life Member of the Australian Labor Party, Secretary of the ALP Sisterhood and a member of Emily’s List. She is a Charter Member of Zonta International (Launceston) and represents Zonta on the National Council of Women. Betty is a member of the National Foundation for Australian Women, Amnesty International, and the Friends of the ABC. Betty has also been active in her local community as a member of Theatre North and a former member of the Women’s Health Network (Launceston), Adult Education (Northern Group), and the Tasmanian Women’s Consultative Committee.

In 1998, Betty was presented with an Order of Australia Medal (OAM) in recognition of her services to education and the status of women.

Lucy Grounds was educated at the Hobart Ladies’ College. She married Dr Arthur Grounds in 1928, raising three children, two sons and a daughter. She lived at Waratah, Deloraine and Launceston before commencing her Parliamentary career. During World War II, Lucy was the Secretary of the Northern District Council of the Women’s Auxiliary National Service. In 1951, she stood for election to the Legislative Council following the death of her husband, who had been the sitting member for Launceston. Lucy's election slogan read ‘Chivalry is not dead: we need a lady to represent us in Parliament’ and she won easily with 51 per cent of the vote.

Lucy gave her maiden speech on 2 October 1951, and in the following month became the first woman to introduce a Bill in the Legislative Council. The Bill authorised the Launceston Marine Board to raise money for port works on the River Tamar. Her input into subsequent bills was reported in more detail when it related to matters of specific concern to women, such as Saturday shop trading, the issuing of receipts to shoppers and female jury service. In May 1952 Lucy was re-elected with 44 per cent of the vote (in a contest with four other candidates). She lost her seat in the 1958 election.

Lucy sustained an active life beyond her parliamentary role, serving as Secretary of the ALP's Launceston Central branch, Secretary of its Launceston Women's branch and on a variety of boards and committees at community level. She was Chair of the Student Teachers’ College Board, and a member of the Tasmanian Advisory Committee to the ABC, the Police and Citizens Boys Club Committee, the Launceston Committee of the YWCA and the Queen Victoria Hospital Board. Lucy was active in a range of women’s organisations including the National Council of Women, Soroptimists International, the Penguin Club, and the Business and Professional Women’s Club.

In 1960, Lucy moved to Victoria and worked at the Hermitage School (Geelong) and Methodist Ladies’ College (Kew). She returned to Hobart in 1972 and married W O Jennings in 1976.

Betty Gurr was educated at Princes Street Primary and Ogilvie High School. She married in 1956 and had four children, one son and three daughters. Betty worked for many years as a radiographer in the Royal Hobart and Launceston General Hospitals. She was also the business manager of her husband’s pharmacy.

For more than 40 years, Betty has selflessly given her time and energy to contribute to church and community organisations in Glenorchy. Betty has been an active contributor to the St Paul’s Anglican Church in Glenorchy since the 1960s. She has served almost continuously on the Parish Council, including terms as Treasurer and Synod Representative. In the 1970s, Betty helped the leader of the St Paul’s youth group run a weekly nightclub for up to 250 teenagers. She has been the Manager of the St Paul’s Dining Room at the Royal Hobart Show, a major fundraiser that has supported the church’s community activities, since 1989. As the coordinator of the St Paul’s Refugee Support Group since 1996, she has assisted 29 refugees to settle in Australia.

Betty has been a Lifeline Australia counsellor and trainer for 28 years. In 1963, she was a Foundation Member of Glenorchy Meals on Wheels. Betty’s commitment has extended unbroken over four decades, including terms as President and Treasurer. Another longstanding commitment has been as a Committee Member of the Lady Clarke Centre Inc since 1974.

Betty served as a member of the Anglicare Board of Management from 1985 until 1997. Betty’s dedicated service to her community and parish was recognised when she was named as Glenorchy Citizen of the Year in 1994.

I believe that all people have the right to exercise the full range of citizen’s rights. Not all people have equal access to opportunities that the average Australian takes for granted. My work towards achieving human rights of people with disabilities has my fullest and deepest commitment. - Mary Guy

Mary Guy had a distinguished career in local government and community services, having earned a reputation as a woman with courage and tenacity, who was prepared to make a stand for human rights, particularly for people with a disability. She was Chairperson of the Tasmanian Disability Advisory Council.

Her experience in women’s issues came from living with a disability. She developed quadriplegia as a result of polio at the age of eight and attributes her qualities to her mother, who had little formal education but was an independent person with a great belief in herself, and who engendered her daughters with her spirit.

Mary acquired a range of qualifications in the area of developmental disability and disability services management and used her qualifications and experience to make a real difference in people’s lives. She helped secure Government recognition of the need for in-home support for people with a disability and was instrumental in establishing new programs enhancing independence. She worked on numerous issues including community awareness, access, building codes, transport, education and discrimination. She was a founding member of the Glenorchy Access Advisory Committee, on which she served for 16 years. Mary had been instrumental in changing perceptions of disability in the community through awareness training and developing disability access policies and plans for Local and State Government.

She was elected as an Alderman for the City of Glenorchy in 1997 and since that time had served on numerous Glenorchy community committees. She was involved in the work of many non-government organisations including Cosmos Recreational Services, Community Based Support and ACROD (peak body for disability service providers). She was one of the organisers of the International Day of People with a Disability.

Mary was also an artist and a member of the Mouth and Foot Artists. She contributed to the arts on a local, state and international level.

Mary was an inspiration to many people in the community. She had overcome great odds to make a considerable difference at a state and national level. The real beneficiaries of Mary’s work will be future generations of Tasmanians with a disability.