Vera Deacon

Dr Vera Frances Deacon OAM (née Pember, 19 July 1926 – 16 May 2021) was an Australian historian, writer and philanthropist.[1][2][3][4]

Biography

Deacon was born in the Newcastle suburb of Mayfield and raised on Dempsey and Mosquito Island (also known as Moscheto), on the Hunter River.[5] She lived for many years in Stockton and was actively involved in the study and promotion of the history of Stockton and the Hunter River Islands.[6]

In 2019 the book Singing Back The River was published, which includes her stories and recollections of life on the Hunter River.[7]

She first started donating to the University of Newcastle’s archives in 2001 to support regional history through the acquisition, conservation and research of significant regional historical resources.[8]

Recognition

The Vera Deacon Regional History Fund was established in her honour in 2008. She was named Freeman of the City of Newcastle, New South Wales, Australia in 2019.[9]

In 2020 Deacon was awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia for service to community history and to conservation.[10][11][12] In this same year she was awarded an honorary doctorate, Doctor of Letters, from the University of Newcastle.[13]

References
  1. North, Marilla (2012). "Vera Deacon: A Pen Portrait Part 1: 1926-1946". Hecate. 38 (1–2). Archived from the original on 20 October 2015. Retrieved 5 September 2020.
  2. Deacon, Vera (1997). "Memories of Mayfield West and Platts Channel". University of Newcastle Library.
  3. Bevan, Scott (25 September 2019). "Newcastle writer, historian and philanthropist Vera Deacon awarded Freeman of the City". Newcastle Herald. Retrieved 5 September 2020.
  4. "Newcastle loses a legend: Vera Deacon passes away, aged 94". Newcastle Herald. 18 May 2021. Retrieved 18 May 2021.
  5. "Vera Deacon given City's highest honour". City of Newcastle. 25 September 2019. Retrieved 5 September 2020.
  6. Bevan, Scott (15 June 2018). "Vera Deacon a child of the river, an icon of Newcastle". Newcastle Herald. Retrieved 12 May 2023.
  7. North, Marilla, ed. (2019). Singing Back The River: A Miscellany of Selected Writings by and for Vera Deacon. Leura, NSW: Yarnspinners Press Collective. ISBN 9780648134251.
  8. "Vera Deacon Regional History Fund". Cultural Collections, UON. 2008. Retrieved 5 September 2020.
  9. Bevan, Scott (16 June 2018). "Child of the river, icon of the city". Newcastle Herald. Retrieved 5 September 2020.
  10. Kelly, Mathew (8 June 2020). "A Driving Force of Nature". Newcastle Herald.
  11. Kelly, Mathew (7 June 2020). "Hunter Queen's Birthday recipients come from diverse backgrounds but all have made equally amazing contributions to our community". Newcastle Herald. Retrieved 5 September 2020.
  12. "Vera Deacon for service to community history, and to conservation". University of Newcastle News. 8 June 2020.
  13. "Honorary degrees". The University of Newcastle, Australia. 22 October 2018. Retrieved 23 February 2022.
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