An eternal legacy of light, leadership and love
Sister Angela Mary served as Mater’s Sister Administrator (chief executive) from 1966-1987 and is regarded as one of the most pivotal figures in Mater’s history.
A progressive and visionary leader, Sister Angela Mary oversaw the huge expansion of Mater, including the opening of the new Mater Hospital Brisbane at South Brisbane in 1981 and the growth of Mater Mothers’ Hospital to become the largest maternity service in the southern hemisphere.
Sister Angela Mary displayed exceptional business acumen and leadership in guiding Mater. As a fearless campaigner for vulnerable communities, she broke down barriers and is respected across all levels of government, society, and religious backgrounds.
After her 22-year helm, Sister Angela Mary remained a visible link between Mater and the community, serving as Senior Director of Health Services, Executive Director of Mater Hospital Trust (now Mater Foundation) and a Mater Board member. She also played a central role in the establishment of Mater Research.
“It was indeed a special destiny which brought me to Brisbane. The many decades since I arrived have been crammed with remarkable experiences and even more remarkable people.”
Sister Angela Mary
Sister Angela Mary has dedicated her life to helping others. A truly exceptional leader from her time, Sister Angela Mary challenged much of the prevailing wisdom of both her order and the state government to effect change and justice for those in need. Under her visionary guidance, she stewarded Mater to the position of strength, growth and excellence it enjoys today.
For more than 60 years she has been a voice for progress in Queensland. Sister Angela Mary forged a close relationship with the Buddhist Compassion Relief Tzu Chi Foundation and Brisbane’s Taiwanese community, relationships that continue three decades on, as well as advocating for improved healthcare for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
She was the public face of the Sisters of Mercy’s defiant stance against the Bjelke-Petersen state government in the 1980s to Queensland’s first HIV-AIDS patients—accepting secret funds from the Australian government to provide dignity and compassionate care for terminally-ill patients and their loved ones.
“How lucky were we here in Brisbane, that at 21 years of age, Sister Angela Mary made the life-changing decision to leave County Clare, Ireland, and travel to join us here with the Sisters of Mercy in Brisbane? Some might say we had the luck of the Irish on our side. I believe we had a little divine intervention.”
Former Australian Prime Minister, Kevin Rudd
