Jeff Kennett: Victorians forever in debt to Sister Margaret Noone and Dame Phyllis Frost

Both Sister Margaret Noone and Dame Phyllis Frost changed the lives of thousands of Victorians, and without their contribution — and that of many unsung heroes — our society would be a lot poorer.

Sister Margaret Noone was the driving force behind Very Special Kids before her retirement in 2002.

This is not the article I had planned for today, but with the passing of Sister Margaret Noone, I cannot help but reflect on her life and that of the late Dame Phyllis Frost.

Importantly, behind the contribution of Margaret Noone is a bigger story.

Two Victorian families — the Colemans of Croydon and the Goods of Upway — had both sadly lost a child at an early age through leukaemia, Damian and Lee respectively.

Together both families experienced a child going through palliative care, death and experienced the lack of support for their children and bereavement assistance for the families.

As a result they set up an organisation called Very Special Kids in 1984.

In 1985 they employed Sister Margaret Noone as the first employee of VSK.

Sister Noone had a 20-year career in education, before taking her vows.

Behind the contribution of Sister Margaret Noone is a bigger story. Picture: Supplied

In employing Sister Noone, VSK employed a dynamo. Very committed to the charter of VSK, but with the force of personality to deliver the Colemans’ and Goods’ dream.

Sister Noone came to be supported by families of Melbourne, many of prominence, but not seeking recognition, and Tattersalls as it was then known.

Those families, together with the uncompromising Sister Noone, convinced me as premier at the time to make available to VSK a substantial state-owned property in Glenferrie Rd, Malvern, at a peppercorn rent of $1 a year.

That property was formerly opened in 1996, and has been growing and improving the facilities and services it has offered children and their families ever since.

Sister Margaret was the first employee of Very Special Kids. Picture: Supplied

Sister Noone had been the driving force until her retirement in 2002, but remained associated with VSK as its patron and the property ever since.

The Coleman and Good parents, Sister Noone, their army of supporters, fundraisers and staff, have all delivered the only facility of its kind in Australia.

The number of families who have received care, at the most sad and unbearable time probably now exceeds 1000.

As we mourn Sister Noone’s passing and all the work she and her supporters have achieved, we should also give thanks and acknowledge the Coleman and Good families who conceived the idea of the VSK.

They planted an acorn that has grown into a very big, strong and caring tree.

Our Victorian society is indebted to you all.

Phyllis Frost an individual cyclone in advocacy for better treatment and rehabilitation programs for female prisoners.

Which brings me to reflecting on the work of Dame Phyllis Frost.

Again I came to know her through my political career.

But like Sister Noone, in the nicest expression possible, she was like a dog with a bone!

In Dame Phyllis’s case in community work but in my time mainly the welfare of female prisons in Victoria.

She was an individual cyclone in advocacy for better treatment and rehabilitation programs for women who become guests of the Crown.

On the times she came to see me, again as premier, there was no way she was going to leave my office until she got what she was seeking.

So much did I respect her work and superior knowledge of the matters she sought my agreement, I quickly realised her commitment, her force of personality, would win the day. My acquiescence to her requests, like Sister Noone’s, would substantially reduce the length of the meeting.

Victoria’s only female prison was named after Dame Phyllis Frost in 2000. Picture: Kylie Else

Victoria’s only female prison was named after Dame Phyllis Frost in 2000, by my successor, Premier Steve Bracks, before her death in 2004 at the age of 87.

But Dame Phyllis was involved in many other philanthropic causes, often in a leadership role — such as Keep Australia Beautiful, Freedom from Hunger, in fact over 40 organisations. As well as raising millions of dollars for charitable causes.

Both Sister Noone and Dame Phyllis were outstanding contributors to Victorian life. They were saluted during their lives, and I do so again now.

They changed the lives of thousands of Victorians.

Of course there are thousands of committed women who are not as high profile. And without their contribution, often on a voluntary basis, to our community, we would be a lot poorer.

For instance, women who serve as volunteers in our CFA, or supporting partners who put their health and lives at risk when they go out to fight fires, or respond to floods.

When I was growing up I was given a book entitled 50 Famous Australians, published by the Herald and Weekly Times.

I wonder if anyone would be interested, prepared to compile and produce a book of 50 Great Australian Women? Maybe it would need to be 100 Great Australian Women.

Have a thoughtful day

Jeff Kennett is a former premier of Victoria