May Maxwell MBE

Awarded for service to arts; community, advocacy and inclusion; government and public service; volunteering

Born: 31 July 1922

Entered on roll: 2023

"Believes in giving back to the community"

May Maxwell was born in Bunyip, Victoria, in 1922, and has been dedicated to volunteering.

May was educated at Modella, Victoria close to her parents’ dairy farm. From there she studied abroad gaining her Business Certificate in New Zealand.

In 1946 at the age of 24 May married Frank, who was enlisted in the armed forces. A few weeks after marrying, Frank was posted in the occupational forces in Japan.

On Frank’s return from the war, he was employed as a sales representative for Kiwi Shoe Polish and in 1956, was transferred to Launceston, Tasmania.

Putting her Business Certificate into action May worked as a secretary at many firms and for high-profile citizens including Senator Reginald Turnbull, Sir Raymond Ferrall, Neil Pitt’s Menswear and for Senator Don Grimes AO.

May believed in volunteering and was the secretary of the Royal Society of St George, Launceston branch collection, and a secretary of her Probus branch. She volunteered at the Red Cross Shop at the Launceston General Hospital for 10 years and has been a long-time volunteer at Launceston’s Old Umbrella Shop, operated by the National Trust.

May is a huge supporter of the Arts and has been involved in both the Northern Tasmania Arts Council and Launceston Film Society.

May is also a life member of the Tasmanian Labor Party and a member of Australian Labor Party Sisterhood.

When Frank died, Legacy House became like May’s new home and family. May was a member of War Widows, which had since dissolved and become part of Legacy. May also was an inaugural member of the Psychiatric Auxiliary at the Launceston General Hospital, Lindsay Miller Clinic and held her membership for 15 years.

May has travelled throughout Australia and overseas, yet states her fondest memories are in Tasmania.

May has given so much time to others and at the age of 100 May still gives back her state.