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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