The Hallowian - Volume I 2021 - Flipbook - Page 35
Sandra Mercer Moore AM
From Cunnamulla to International
Sandra Mary Mercer Moore (Stewart) AM passed away
on 15 January 2021, aged 78 years. She was the elder
daughter of Sep and Tottie Stewart (Sabien), graziers
at ‘Waratah’, via Cunnamulla. Sandra commenced
as a boarder at All Hallows’ at the age of nine. She
completed the scholarship exam in 1955, as well as
Trinity College music exams for which she received
honours. After graduating from All Hallows’ in 1959,
she studied physiotherapy at The University of
Queensland. In later years, she also gained a Masters in
Physiotherapy and a Master of Business Administration.
Sandra married Dr Robert Mercer in 1964, and
they pursued their professional careers in North
Queensland, London, and Brisbane, before her
husband’s unexpected death in 1975.
Sandra continued to practise physiotherapy in Brisbane
and her passion for the profession resulted in her
serving as president of the Australian Physiotherapy
Association from 1991 to 1992, chair of the World
Confederation for Physical Therapy Asia Western Pacific
Region from 1995 to 1999, and ultimately international
president from 1999 to 2007, travelling the world
extensively during this time.
In 1989, Sandra married John Moore and moved to
Melbourne. She served the Liberal Party of Australia
on the Menzies electorate council executive, including
16 years as chairman, and on the Victorian state
executive, including eight years as Vice-President. In
2018, she was conferred a distinguished service award
by the party. She also served as a director of the Royal
Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital.
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The Hallowian | 2021
Sr Regis Mary Dunne
Queensland Great
recognition
In 2009, Sandra was appointed a Member of the Order
of Australia (AM) for service to physiotherapy through
leadership roles with professional organisations, as a
clinician, and to the Victorian Division of the Liberal
Party of Australia.
Sister Regis Mary Dunne AO RSM (AHS 1941-1944), who
died on 20 April 2020, has been posthumously honoured
by the Queensland Government as a Queensland Great
for her work as a scientist, bioethicist and educator. The
citation reads:
Sandra is survived by her husband John Moore, sister
Debra Stewart, and three stepdaughters. May she rest
in peace.
Sr Regis Mary Dunne was a pioneer of genetics and
bioethics, with her work playing an instrumental role
in several Queensland ‘firsts’ during a time when few
women worked in these fields.
In 1960, Sr Dunne established Queensland’s first
cytogenetics diagnostic laboratory at Mater Hospital,
resulting in earlier diagnosis of congenital abnormalities.
The following year, she co-founded the first genetic
counselling clinic in Australia to assist clinicians, patients
and families deal with the complexities of these genetic
diagnoses.
In 1981, Sr Dunne became the founding director of
Queensland’s first Bioethics Centre, offering free access
to a library of bioethical information which was utilised
by professionals, organisations and members of the
public. A pioneer in the field of women in science,
technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM), Sr
Dunne made a lifetime and ground-breaking contribution
to global science, healthcare and ethics, inspiring many
young scientists, researchers, students and healthcare
professionals.
We give thanks for the life of Sr Regis Mary and her
contribution to our state.
2021 | The Hallowian
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