Honouring Betty Amsden AO

Patron, SRI, 2014-2017

“I am very pleased to offer my support to the Spinal Research Institute. Many of the spinal patients have their accidents when they are young and have their whole lives ahead. The SRI is building links between spinal researchers around the world, so they can deliver the very best treatments to this neglected group. We must help them do it, so people with spinal injuries, young and old, can lead full, active lives.”
— Betty Amsden, SRI Patron

Betty Amsden is remembered by the Board and staff of the SRI as an endlessly generous soul who cared deeply for the disadvantaged and marginalised in our community.

Betty became the SRI’s wonderful ‘hands-on’ Patron in 2014 and played a vital role in its transition into a self-funded organisation. Her inspirational leadership saw the launch of the SRI’s Founding Donors’ Circle in 2016 at Cranlana, where she garnered the support of her wide circle of friends for a cause she deemed very worthy, yet very neglected.

Betty took every opportunity to promote the importance of supporting and improving the lives of people with spinal cord injuries. She was committed to seeing improved health outcomes for this group, recognising that this was vital for their quality of life and capacity to work and be active participants in the community.

We will miss Betty immensely. She will continue to inspire us and her legacy will live on in the SRI’s vision of improved health outcomes for people with spinal cord injuries.