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Canberra’s Val Dempsey invited to Queen’s funeral

Val Dempsey. Photo: Holly Treadaway.

SENIOR Australian of the Year and Canberran Valmai Dempsey will be one of ten Australians representing Australia at the funeral of Queen Elizabeth II.

Dempsey, a St John Ambulance ACT Volunteer for more than four decades, has been a passionate advocate for first-aid training for learner drivers.

In 2020, faced with the “Black Summer” bushfires and the COVID-19 pandemic, Dempsey led 40 fellow volunteers as they supported fire-affected communities during the emergency that stretched over many weeks, clocking up around 600 hours of volunteering.

She will attend the funeral at Westminster Abbey alongside Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, Governor-General David Hurley and 2022 Australian of the Year Dylan Alcott.

Also invited to attend are:

  • Dr Miriam-Rose Ungunmerr Baumann AM, 2021 Senior Australian of the Year
  • Shanna Whan, 2022 Australian of the Year Local Hero
  • Kim Smith APM, 2022 Local Hero, Tasmania
  • Trudy Lin, 2022 Young Australian of the Year, South Australia
  • Professor Helen Milroy, 2021 West Australia Australian of the Year.
  • Saba Abraham, 2022 Local Hero, Queensland
  • Danny Abdallah – Co-Creator of i4give Day
  • Chris Waller – Inductee in Australian Racing Hall of Fame

The funeral will be held on September 19.

Aunty Val wants L-platers to learn first-aid skills

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