Before coming to St Catherine’s, Anne had never sat in a classroom. Growing up on a remote sheep property in New South Wales, Anne’s primary schooling was with the Correspondence School of New South Wales. Anne went on to became School Captain of St Catherine’s in 1958.

A grazing property in East Gippsland, Victoria became home for Anne after marrying her husband Donald, and she began volunteering for the Red Cross on a full-time basis after Donald’s death.

A member of the Lindenow & District Branch of the Red Cross since 1965, Anne has felt very much part of a team, door knocking in the Lindenow area during Red Cross annual fundraising drives and providing support during emergencies and disasters. Anne baked and delivered fruit cakes to families affected by the 1965 bushfires. Anne oversees the delivery of Red Cross teddies knitted by branch members, providing comfort to people of all ages.

Anne has served the Red Cross at local, state and national levels. In 2015, Anne became the first female Chair of the Victorian Red Cross in 100 years. Anne is the recipient of an Honorary Life Member award of the Australian Red Cross. She is currently a Special Councillor of the National Council of the Australian Red Cross.

A lifelong volunteer, Anne has also been a committee member of the Lakes Entrance Historical Society for over 20 years and is its current President. She has also been a member of the Bairnsdale Cemetery Trust for over 20 years and a Meals on Wheels volunteer.

In 2007, Anne was awarded a Medal of the Order of Australia. She received a Premier’s Award for Victorian Senior of the Year in 2016. Anne was made a Member of the Order of Australia for her significant service to the community through the Australian Red Cross in 2021.

In addition to managing her own rural property, Anne’s main interest is her family. She also enjoys swimming, yoga, gardening and book club. According to Anne, “keeping active and thinking of other people I think is the recipe to a happy life.”

February 2026