Miss Betty Amsden

Betty believed in community as a powerful stage to bring people together and give value to our lives; to give us a quality of life that only comes when life is shared with others.

She was passionate about helping to build strong, equitable and inclusive communities, enthusiastically supporting projects and programs that inspired each of us to connect with others, elevate our sense of belonging and deepen our humanity.

Placing people at the very heart of strong, resilient communities, Betty also loved to support individuals effecting change, no matter their professional role or level of experience. She recognised that everyone, given the opportunity, has the ability to be a changemaker and contribute to shaping a better world. She loved to spot talent, back ingenuity and give people the wherewithal to change the world.

Betty received many distinguished honours and accolades for her leadership in community service and philanthropy. She was honoured with the Order of Australia Medal in 2002 and presented with the Officer of the Order of Australia in 2014. She was inducted into the Victorian Honour Roll for Women, was an Honorary Fellow of Monash University, an Honorary Life Member of the RSPCA, anointed Dame of the Order of St John of Jerusalem and contributed to both the running of and fundraising for several leading non-profit institutions in Melbourne. Betty was posthumously awarded an Honorary Doctorate of Laws at Monash University (HonLLD) in recognition of her extraordinary contribution to the arts and education.

Betty passed away in February 2017.