The Hallowian 2020: Vol II - Flipbook - Page 13
Helena McIlwain
Margaret Tyler
Her legacy of love and
kindness
An inspirational teacher
Margaret Tyler (Walsh) (Class of 1959) passed away
on 19 September 2020, aged 77 years. She attended
All Hallows’ for Years 11 and 12 and was also a Senior
History Teacher at the School from 1966 to 1967.
Margaret was well known as the first woman from
Nanango to attend university. She studied at The
University of Queensland, gaining a Bachelor of Arts in
History and English and a Graduate Diploma in Education,
and later achieved a Masters Degree in American History.
Margaret had a passion for education and was an
inspirational teacher. Throughout her career, she taught
in Queensland, Canada, England, and finally in Darwin
where she achieved the level of Deputy Principal at
Casuarina Senior College. Margaret returned to the
beloved Nanango of her childhood in her retirement
years where she remained active in the community,
including the Country Women’s Association.
Margaret’s daughter, Anastasia Tyler, wrote a tribute to
her mother’s life, which was published in Burnett Today.
May Margaret’s soul rest in peace.
Helena McIlwain (Class of 2017) tragically and
unexpectedly passed away in late 2019. Helena was a
highly functioning, healthy young woman. Helena had
broken her ankle, which was the unfortunate precursor
to the pulmonary embolism she suffered. Helena has left
behind her parents, Fiona and Eric, her adored younger
sister Sophia (current AHS student), the McIlwain and
O’Shea families, and her cherished friends.
Helena is remembered as a caring and kind young
woman who wanted to make a difference. She held
two part-time positions—both in disability services—
at BestLife and Conductive Education Queensland. In
addition, Helena was studying Occupational Therapy
with a view to continuing her studies towards a medical
degree.
BestLife and her family are honouring Helena’s memory
with the project called ‘Helena’s House’. The creation of
Helena’s House will see a special and much needed place
where teenagers and young people living with disabilities
can take that next step to independence—living together,
learning life skills, and building lifelong friendships. The
house will embody Helena’s qualities of enthusiasm,
kindness and humour—everything BestLife’s children
love and need.
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The Hallowian | 2020 vol II
Helena’s House will be a ‘home away from home’ for
BestLife’s young clients living with disability. A regular
house in a regular Brisbane suburb where our young
people enjoy short stays, where they build on their
journey of learning life skills and live a life independent
of mum, dad and family.
Helena spent every day she had making sure she was
doing her part to change people’s lives. Now, Helena’s
House will allow her to continue to do so, and honour
the undeniable mark she made on the world in the short
time she had.
Planning is underway for a fundraising event in 2021,
supported by Helena’s House ambassador Susie O’Neill
AM (AHS parent). To make the dream of Helena’s House
a reality donate at:
https://bestlifefoundation.com.au/donate/.
(BestLife is a registered not-for-profit and all donations
over $2 are tax deductible.)