Valerie Matthew

Location: Salisbury, Brisbane

Valerie Matthew, 82, has been the volunteer typist and administrative assistant with the Tuberculosis Sailors', Soldiers' and Airmen's Association of Queensland for four decades.

The association promotes the interests and welfare of returned service personnel who contracted tuberculosis. Most were socially isolated after being ostracised by other organisations whose members feared contracting the disease.

Valerie's interest was sparked by her husband, Phil, who contracted tuberculosis after World War II and was an active member of the association.

Positions with the organisation were usually filled by relatives of members, due to community fears about contracting tuberculosis. Valerie helped dispel those fears by disproving community prejudices. She did not contract tuberculosis.

The impact Valerie had on people's lives cannot be underestimated. She had empathy for their plight, devoted time to assist and offered genuine friendship.

Valerie also typed and compiled a quarterly newsletter, which was informative, entertaining and well-read. The newsletters were produced on a typewriter so old that no parts were available and she had to hand ink the ribbons. Undeterred when her hands became arthritic, she used one finger to type.