MOUNT Gambier community icon and social rights activist Viv Maher has been posthumously inducted into the 2019 South Australian Women’s Honour Roll for her long contribution to the community.
The State Government awards recognise and celebrate extraordinary women who make valuable contributions to the community.
Ms Maher was recognised for her lifelong efforts in bringing equality for women, the young and Indigenous people and her influence on family, friends and the wider community.
Husband Jim Maher accepted the award on her behalf.
Speaking to The Border Watch, Mr Maher said it was an honour to have his late wife’s achievements recognised on such a large scale.
“I had known about the nomination for a while before it was announced, but it was an extraordinary honour for her to be one of the 25 women inducted,” Mr Maher said.
“I attended with two of our sons and a very dear family friend and we are a very proud family to be in a position to be recognised for her work.”
Mr Maher said he believes his late wife was honoured due to her commitment to social justice on all levels, as well as her intense commitment to the wellbeing of women.
“It was also due to her immense pride in her Aboriginal heritage and what that meant for both her life and our family’s life,” he said.
“Her growth and pride in her Aboriginal heritage is what I am most proud of, and her underpinned pride and passion for it and the wellness of Aboriginal people.”
Viv was originally born in Warragul, Victoria where she pursued a career in social work after high school.
Ms Maher combined social work and commerce into her university degree.
During her third year at university, she met Mr Maher and were married within 12 months of meeting.
In 1972, the couple moved to Port Moresby in Papua New Guinea where Ms Maher completed her degree.
Soon after completing her degree, Ms Maher landed a vacant social work job at the Port Moresby hospital before their first son, Kyam, was born.
After two and a half years overseas, the young family moved back to Australia where Viv picked up work at Frankston Hospital.
Here, Ms Maher found her passion for women’s wellbeing after learning of the old fashioned mentality of senior doctors.
At the hospital, nurses were not permitted to provide unmarried mothers pain relief.
Ms Maher was angered by the issue and raised it with the hospital board, which forced a change in practices.
While in Melbourne, the couple’s second son Cameron was born and soon after the family moved to the Adelaide Hills.
Ms Maher established her own small commune, where she taught a number of lifestyle skills before the arrival of their third son Gibram.
Shortly after the family moved to Mount Gambier where they lived for more than 30 years.
“When we lived in Mount Gambier, Viv worked and managed the women’s emergency shelter for a while before working in social work in many roles along the way,” Mr Maher said.
“She was involved in Pangula Mannamurna for some years and was heavily involved in community stuff along the way while also being heavily involved in our son’s education and lives.”
Mr Mahar said community members still commented on her contribution to the Limestone Coast and broader community.
“It never ceased to amaze me or the boys how often we would meet someone who would recognise our last name because of her,” he said.
“We would hear responses similar to ‘she saved my life’ and there is a huge amount of people still in the South East who were touched by her.”
