Pip Briggs remembered by May Shaw Health Centre, Swansea community

A “bubbly and vibrant” Tasmanian woman is being remembered for going above and beyond to help people with a disability, with plans in place to ensure her legacy lives forever.

A “bubbly and vibrant” Tasmanian woman is being remembered for going above and beyond to help people with a disability, with plans in place to ensure her legacy lives forever.

Pip Briggs died on May 6 in a single vehicle crash at Lake Leake.

Pip, 51, was moving from Swansea to Campbell Town on the day with her family.

She left behind husband Steve and children Sarah and Luke.

A strong voice for the aged care sector and disabled community, Pip worked tirelessly at Swansea’s May Shaw Health Centre for more than six years.

Pip Briggs (left) with her colleague Amanda McConnon.

“It was a big shock, not just to the staff but also to our residents who knew her very well,” May Shaw Health Centre CEO Fiona Onslow-Agnew said.

“Pip worked in the leisure and lifestyle area and she went out of her way to get to know the residents and what they enjoyed.

“She took a special interest in their life and was so loved by them.

“She had a great friendship with all of the staff as well. She was a bubbly, vibrant, happy person and that affected everyone around her.”

One of Pip’s main goals was to gain access to Schouten Beach for non-ambulant May Shaw residents.

She worked tirelessly on applications for beach wheelchairs to be purchased.

“Pip was very passionate about it,” Mrs Onslow-Agnew said.

Pip Briggs.

“It was something that the residents had spoken to her about. She researched it all and found the wheelchairs; she was contacting organisations to try and get funding.

“She contacted council about how to get the pavement improved if she could get the wheelchairs.”

May Shaw Health Centre have launched a GoFundMe page to raise money towards beach wheelchairs and a concrete path from their facility down to the beach.

Pip’s family also raised money for the cause at her funeral.

Mrs Onslow-Agnew said it was important Pip’s legacy was immortalised by bringing her dream to life.

“It will become a resource for the whole community. Disabled people who come visit will be able to use it.

“Pip is very well remembered and we want to continue to always have her in our thoughts.”