Sarah Brown recognised in Queen’s Birthday 2020 Honours List

The Purple House CEO has been appointed a Member of the Order of Australia in the Queen’s Birthday 2020 Honours List.

Jebediah Collins, Purple House CEO Sarah Brown, and patient Ivy Smith with the purple piggy bank after Midnight Oil made a surprise visit to donate $10,000 to the organisation in 2017. Photo: EMMA MURRAY

When Sarah Brown left England in 1974 she waved at Buckingham Palace on her way to the airport to say goodbye to the Queen.

“I also wrote her a letter saying that if she wanted to be my pen pal I would be living in Australia,” she said.

Forty six years later the Purple House CEO said being appointed a Member of the Order of Australia is the closest she’s had to a reply from Her Majesty.

“The Queen’s Birthday honours list isn’t something I ever thought about, to be included is lovely,” she said.

“But it’s really not about me, it’s about Purple House and all the people who’ve supported us over the years.”

In January Ms Brown celebrated 17 years at the helm of Western Desert Nganampa Walytja Palyantjaku Tjutaku Aboriginal Corporation (Purple House).

In that time the organisation has grown from a dream to have a dialysis machine in Kintore to operating clinics in 18 remote communities, and a portable two chair dialysis clinic on wheels affectionately called the Purple Truck.

“It’s been extraordinary to see how the philosophy of looking after each other and doing things the right way has really blossomed,” Ms Brown said.

“It’s given people some real control over their lives and real hope for the future.

“I feel like I’m incredibly fortunate to play just a little part in this great big story.”

Sarita Quinlivan, who has worked at Purple House for seven years, said Ms Brown is a worthy recipient of the accolade.

“Sarah’s done such an incredible job to help people realise their dream of having dialysis on country, and she’s such an inspiration to work with and for,” she said.

“I think it’s incredible that after so many years here she still has such passion and innovation to continue to change the model of care that people are receiving.”

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Despite everything she has achieved Ms Brown said there is always more to do, and she’ll keep working hard to get remote dialysis patients home.

“I’m aware that 17 years is a long time to be hanging around in one place,” she said.

“I’d like to think I have a bit of self awareness about how useful I am, but every now and then I do show people my left buttock so they can check my use-by date.”