Meet Waratah-Wynyard’s Australia Day Ambassador for 2023, Vicki Purnell.
Vicki grew up in the Midlands and on the North-West Coast of Tasmania. After graduating from the University of Tasmania, she taught maths and science in schools on the West and North-West Coasts before retiring at the end of 2012.
Utilising her sewing skills, Vicki started a project called Bridie’s Blossoms and Blessings at the end of 2013 to ensure that every miscarried and stillborn baby in Tasmania was clothed and farewelled with respect and dignity.
Vicki’s project has grown to support those with dementia, women undergoing treatment for gynaecological cancer and women and children at a local women’s shelter. She is also an advocate for women’s health. As a gynaecological cancer survivor, she is a presenter in the Survivors Teaching Students program, which aims to raise awareness of the symptoms of ovarian and gynaecological cancers amongst the next generation of health professionals.
She was recognised for her volunteer work by being named the 2019 Local Hero for Tasmania and was awarded an Order of Australia Medal (OAM) on Australia Day 2022.