Anthea Davey-Griffin has been involved with Launceston’s St Patrick’s College ‘forever’ according to office staff there.
Anthea is a friendly, multi-talented and energetic Catholic lady who loves being part of the College community. She has been an active member of the Parents and Friends Association at all levels over the last 21 years, is a member of the College Board and Mission Implementation Team and has served on the TCEC (Tasmanian Catholic Education Commission) as a committee member.
Everything that Anthea does in all facets of her life is motivated by her Catholic faith and Christian agape. Although she feels honoured to be receiving her award in the company of Betty Quigley and Phil Hollingsworth from the same college, being rewarded is not the reason for what she does.
She came from a Catholic family and was educated at St Cuthbert’s Catholic School in Lindisfarne, then went on to St Mary’s College. The Presentation Sisters, especially Sisters Philomena (Marie) Connolly and Elizabeth Vagg, impressed her greatly at the time with their vitality and youth! Other teachers that have influenced her include Sr Carmel, Sr Andrew and Sr Magdalene. Monsignor Bernard Rogers and other priests also had a positive influence on her.
Anthea trained as a nurse and pursued that career very successfully around Australia, eventually completing a Masters of Nursing Studies at Flinders University. She has worked in children’s health for the past 34 years, completed research in the area of child care and preventative health and has had work published in academic journals. She currently works at Summerhill Child Health Centre in Launceston.
She is very active in the Meander Valley Parish where she visits the sick, reads at Mass and helps Fr Terry Yard wherever possible. Her children started their schooling at Our Lady of Mercy Catholic School in Deloraine, which saw the beginning of her support for the school. When her children moved onto secondary education at St Patrick’s College, it was only natural that Anthea continued her contributions to the College environment. Although her youngest child has just finished Year 12, Anthea is still helping out as needed.
She is very happy with the Catholic education offered in our schools and says there is “no need to go anywhere else as it gives a well rounded perspective”.
Anthea Davey-Griffin is Well-deserving of the Award for Outstanding Contribution as a Friend in Catholic Schools.