Susan Nolan

Awarded for service to childcare; education and training; government and public services; volunteering

8 February 1950 – 2 July 2022

Entered on roll: 2023

"Community focus"

Susan Nolan was community-minded and knew it takes a village to raise a child.

In 1980 Susan became the founding Director of Blackmans Bay Children’s Services (BBCS) and gave thousands of children security and affection. In setting up the original centre, Susan recruited local mothers, who became long term employees (and friends). Staff were provided countless training opportunities to enhance their skills and lives.

In the 34 years Susan spent at the helm of BBCS (now Adventure Patch), the service grew from a small single-room service attached to the kindergarten, to a multi-site facility offering Long Day Care (two sites), Outside School Hours Care (four schools), and Vacation Care (three schools). Despite the growth, Susan remained steadfast in maintaining a community focus and not-for-profit ethos.

Under Susan’s leadership, BBCS weathered several financial challenges caused by funding policy changes for not-for-profits, fee relief and economic downturns. Susan built a financial reserve to survive the tough times and refurbish and extend the facilities. In the mid-1990s, changes to Commonwealth funding meant several services in Kingston closed.

BBCS not only survived but offered employment to displaced workers and places for affected families.

As CEO, Susan was well-known for pitching in, working in the garden, driving the bus, repairing furniture, and regularly making morning toast for children. An avid knitter and sewer, Susan regularly presented the parents of newborns with handmade garments.

Susan was active on the Tasmanian chapter of Early Childhood Australia, served on the TAFE Tasmania Board (2001-2003) and the Tasmanian Library Advisory Board. She worked with the Kingston Library on the Babies Who Read Succeed packs, which were rolled out statewide by the State Library. Susan also volunteered in a range of charities including Kingborough’s Helping Hands and Snug Village. She also received the Centenary Medal in 2000 for services to Child care.

Susan was a Kingborough Councillor from 2009 to 2014.

After Susan was diagnosed with ovarian cancer in 2021, together with former work colleagues, family and friends, she managed to raise $20,000 for Ovarian Cancer research.