Mary Carmel Knowles

Awarded for service to the Community

Born: 6 March 1952

Entered on roll: 2011

Mary was born in Port Lincoln on 6 March 1952. She was educated in Melbourne and moved to Rossarden with three of her four children in 1988, escaping domestic violence so severe she had to disappear, changing her name and birth date in order to stay safe.

She soon became involved with the local school, initiating a playgroup which continued beyond the closure of the school in 1992.

Mary has been and enthusiastic volunteer for her community over many years. In 1989, after moving to Gipps Creek, she became and ‘Avoca Angel’ – the female volunteer ambulance officers serving the Fingal Valley. Mary was State President of the Volunteer Ambulance Officers Association of Tasmania for five years and coordinated the Agfest ambulance volunteers for eight years.

Mary was an Executive Member of the Distance Education Parent Association for 13 years with five years as State President, a member of the Cancer Screening Consumer Reference Group for seven years and has been involved with Greater Esk Tourism as President and currently as Secretary, successfully applying for $180 000 to restore a heritage building as the Avoca Tourist Centre. Mary is a member of the Rossarden Kids Christmas Group, the Avoca / Rossarden / Royal George District Committee, Treasurer for the Rossarden Progress Association and Coordinator for the Tasmanian Women in Agriculture South Esk Group.

While on-call ambulance duty, Mary volunteered at Avoca Primary one day a week for ten years, mentoring a Junior Red Cross Group and as a classroom help, gaining employment five years ago to coordinate the 0-4 years Launching into Learning program and the school garden where the children plant, harvest, cook and sell their produce.

In 2008, Mary was a finalist in the Community Achievement Awards, and a member of the winning Rossarden Kids Christmas Group.

Mary was elected as a Councillor to the Northern Midlands Council in 2009.