Sister Margaret Ann Noone AM

Sister Margaret Ann Noone AM was a Loreto Sister who dedicated over 40 years to advocating for sick children and their families.

She co-founded Very Special Kids in 1985 to support children with life-limiting conditions and their families. Very Special Kids House, Australia’s first children’s hospice, became a home away from home for them.

Thanks to Sister Margaret, thousands of families have accessed a wide range of services from their child’s diagnosis, through bereavement and beyond.

Sister Margaret was a teacher and junior school principal. Volunteering and working with sick children overseas sparked her passion to continue this work in Australia.

Her advocacy for paediatric palliative care saw her travel the world to learn best practice. She was a member of the first Palliative Care Association of Australia committee and the International Work Group on Death, Dying and Bereavement.

Children’s hospices Australia-wide benefited from her skills and knowledge and advocacy.

Her commitment and determination helped educate health professionals across Australia. It also helped improve quality of life for thousands of seriously ill children.

Margaret shared: “When I was first advocating for the children’s hospice to be built, I felt like a voice crying out in the wilderness. It was the women who stood by my side, they helped make this possible. Collectively, we acknowledged a need and pushed until change happened.”

Sister Margaret passed away in 2025, aged 91.