Virginia Cairns

Awarded for service to arts; education; sport and recreation; community service

13 September 1968 – 5 June 2022

Entered on roll: 2023

"Celebrating an eternal legacy"

Virginia Cairns was born with intellectual disabilities and negotiated life with a rare debilitating condition called Smith Kingsmore Syndrome (SKS).

In the 1970s, a time of prejudice and ostracism, Virginia’s parents Graeme and Joy Cairns OAM, ignored specialist advice to place their daughter in an institution. This decision was pivotal in Virginia reaching her full potential.

Virginia initially attended mainstream schools, unusual for the time, learning basic words and socialising with other children. Most of Virginia’s schooling was at Talire Special School.

Graduating from Talire, Virginia worked as a Founding Artist at Planetree Studio in Salamanca and their Murray Street Handmade Paper Mill producing exhibition artworks for 15 years.

With Virginia being denied access to sport and recreation programs during her youth, Joy established COSMOS (Community of Significant Members of Society), the first fully funded recreation service for people with disabilities in Australia. Virginia participated in camps, concerts, recreation, and sport, including as an athlete at the inaugural New Zealand Special Olympics. One of her proudest moments was becoming a Girl Guide through the COSMOS Girl Guide Company, paving the way for other girls.

In witnessing the many trials Virginia experienced to live independently, Joy established AURORA Disability Services. As a Founding Member, Virginia thrived in this environment discovering pathways to greater independence and a fulfilling life. She modelled what was possible for people with significant learning and physical challenges, breaking through previously impenetrable barriers. Through AURORA, Virginia met her partner Shane Burles, acquired skills, gained confidence, participated in literacy and hospitality training which resulted in work at the Old Chapel Tea Rooms and Car Yard Café; and used her art skills to create goods to sell. Virginia expanded her sporting, musical and social life, and represented Tasmania at the National Ten-Pin Bowling Championships in New South Wales, Victoria, and the ACT.

Virginia’s accomplished life created great optimistic change in society and was instrumental in transforming the lives of people with disabilities for the better.

Virginia died of rapid onset vascular dementia in June 2022