Indo-Australian Award for Australian nun

22/11/93

An Australian nun who has spent 43 years in India working to help mentally and physically disabled people has been presented with a special award by Western Australia's Deputy Premier, Hendy Cowan.

Sister Mary Theodore received the Indo-Australian Award for meritorious service at a ceremony at Stella Maris College in Madras.

Mr Cowan was in the Tamil Nadu capital as the leader of a Western Australian trade delegation.

He commended Sister Mary, who was originally from Brisbane, for her great personal contribution to the less fortunate of India.

Sister Mary was cited by the Indo-Australian Association for her 'outstanding contribution to the rehabilitation of the retarded and mentally handicapped and for strengthening the bonds of service and friendship' between India and Australia.

The Franciscan nun, a law and commerce graduate, saw the need for a rehabilitation institute in Madras and proceeded to establish the Madras Institute to Habilitate Retarded Afflicted (this is the correct name), on the outskirts of the sprawling and crowded city.

The institute was opened in 1972 and has 90 residents between the ages of one and 18.

Volunteers from Perth have worked at the institute over the years.

Mr Cowan said that while the Western Australian delegation, in its way, had come to build goodwill between India and Australia, it had been preceded by 42 years by Sister Mary.

"She has made a great personal contribution to India's less fortunate.  It is fitting that such a marvellous effort should be recognised in this way," he said.

Sister Mary said that to receive the award was an honour "not for myself, but for my staff and the children we work for".

"I thank the Association for thinking of me in my little corner of Madras."

The Indo-Australian Association, which inaugurated the Indo-Australian Award, was established in 1985 to promote friendship between the two countries.

Western Australian Test fast bowler Dennis Lillee was a previous recipient of the award for his efforts in developing Indian children's cricketing skills.

Sister Mary was also awarded the Order of Australia Medal in 1991 in recognition of her work.

While in Madras, the Deputy Premier also met the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu State, Ms J. Jayalalitha, and discussed general economic issues of interest to the two States.

Media contact:  Barry Thornton 222 9595