‘Aim high’: How Susan Patterson inspired a generation in Ballarat

Honoured for her grace and passion for equitable education, Dunnstown historian and retired teacher Susan Patterson is a nominee in this year’s Shine Awards, which puts rural women in the spotlight.

Susan Patterson is a passionate gardener, historian and former teacher from Ballarat who is still driving positive change for her small village of Dunnstown.

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SUSAN Patterson prefers to stand out of the spotlight.

The mother and grandmother is modest about her contributions to Ballarat, which include decades of service as a teacher, historian and member of local choral and botanical societies.

“I have done nothing like my mother – she was amazing,” says Susan, who measures herself against an exceptionally high bar. Her mother, Mabel Taylor, was awarded an Order of Australia Medal for contributions to Ballarat, while her father was a respected pharmacist.

“Both of them were very much involved in Ballarat affairs,” she says. “When I did my family history one of the things that came through was a sense of the importance of being involved in the community, which is perhaps why I feel I haven’t really contributed, because I live out here quietly on my own.”

She may live alone, widowed in 2002 with the death of her husband, Alan, however Susan has definitely improved the lives of many.

Over the past 45 years she has created a verdant oasis – “If it is not raining, I am in the garden” – which she shares with visitors.

As an author, her books record the stories of pastoralists who shaped the Western District wool industry. As a teacher at Ballarat Grammar in the 1980s, she shared her love of history and literacy with a generation of students.

“I wanted them to have a lively mind and to be able to think for themselves; that was very important,” Susan says. “I can remember saying to some girls once, ‘you don’t have to think of marrying somebody, you can have a career yourself and you can aim high’,” she says.

Susan has never lowered her own aims, most recently chairing a group of Dunnstown locals who have lobbied the shire to invest in the small community. “They have become interested in Dunnstown,” says Susan, always gracefully downplaying her important role in positive change.

Susan is a nominee in The Weekly Times Shine Awards, presented in partnership with Harvey Norman.

The Shine Awards celebrates rural women who make a real difference to their communities, businesses and industries. Winners in six categories will receive a $2500 Harvey Norman voucher, and an overall winner will receive a further $5000, announced on November 18.

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