A legacy of compassion

As proudly told by her twin sister Karen, Dr. Katherine Edyvane was a committed conservationist and dedicated life-long supporter of animals, particularly species conservation, as well as animal rights advocacy and welfare.

“During her teenage years in Tasmania she discovered the joys of nature through bushwalking, camping and diving,” Karen says. “She also developed a passion for caring, through almost a decade of volunteer work with St John Ambulance.” These twin threads of altruism and activism proved to be the hallmarks of Katherine’s life. Katherine went on to become a brilliant and highly accomplished international surgeon, including working for a decade in newly-independent Timor-Leste, and leading Australia’s medical relief efforts in the 2006 Pakistan earthquake.

Katherine’s commitment to international medicine and humanitarian missions was recognised with a prestigious RACS International Medal and RACS scholarship in her name.

It was in Africa as a founding member of Specialists Without Borders that her passion for nature, and especially wildlife, was re-kindled. Karen recalls one of the highlights of Katherine’s time in Rwanda as the chance to see gorillas in the wild.

With her life-long love for animals, Katherine was determined to see support for animal advocacy also continue. It now proudly lives on in the HSI work that is funded in part by the generous gift she so kindly left in her Will.

HSI thanks Dr. Edyvane and every person who has made the profound and lasting gift of a bequest.

Dr. Edyvane’s work in Africa brought her close to one of her favourite animals, the mountain gorillas of Rwanda.

To learn more about leaving a gift for animals in your Will click here or please call Caroline Pattison on 02 9973 1728.