I was born in Hobart in 1941, second eldest of the Bennett clan of seven children. I attended St Alban's at Claremont (old church) where I was a member of the Church Choir, Girls Friendly Society, and Fellowship and taught Sunday school, under the nurturing eye of Deaconess Yolland. My family moved to Bridgewater when I was a teenager. I joined St Mary's Church, became a member of the choir, GFS and taught Sunday School again.

I married Robin in 1964; we moved one and a half kilometres away, building our home on the old Dromedary Road, now known as Riverside Drive. We had two children, Sharyn and Rodney, and I returned to work, firstly as a Teacher aide and then in administration at the Education Department. I became very busy at this time in my life and all but turned my back on God.

The death of my mother-in-law in 1993 brought me back to God in a big way. I committed my life to Him and was very much supported by Robin and my family. Sadly, Robin died suddenly in 1999, and with the love and support of Sharyn, Rodney, my son in law Peter, brothers, sisters and friends and with the love and strength of Jesus I have continued growing in my faith daily.

I have been a lay reader in the parish since 1997; encouraged to do this by Rev Neil Vearing, and also have been Parish Administrator since 2002. I enjoy parish visiting and caring, assisting with the services, leading Morning Worship and preaching, and helping at St Ann's Nursing Home.

I have three beautiful grandchildren: Maddie, Dom and Grace; Sharyn and Pete share them with me. My thanks to the parishioners of the Parish of Brighton as they have raised me up and helped me to see that God has been calling me for a quite a while; they have surrounded me with love and support, very much my family in ChriSt My thanks also to Bob and Sue Wittin, for their support in the short time they have been with us in the parish.

I am a Board member of the Bridgewater/Gagebrook Urban Renewal Project and a committee member of Spirituality in the Pub. I have a passion to give back to the community I live in, and for me this means sharing the Gospel of Jesus, His love and His peace, with the community around me.