A Footscray nun inspired by the charity work of Saint Mary MacKillop has been recognised for her lifetime of work by being named a Member in the General Division of the Order of Australia (AM). Sister Joan Healy received the Queen’s Birthday honour on Monday for her significant service to the Catholic Church in Australia and as a social welfare advocate in South East Asia. Sister Joan was the co-founder and director of Footscray’s St Anthony’s Family Centre in 1976. When 24, she found a book about Mother Mary’s work for the poor and uneducated. “What inspired me was here was a woman of vision and courage and prayer who was not behind a convent wall but right down on the ground with people who were poor.” … Benjamin Millar
