June Sutherland was described as many things in her life – mother, matriarch, dignified, intellectual, refined and a leader.
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Mrs Sutherland died peacefully in her sleep on June 7, just days after her 96th birthday.
She was born on June 2, 1921, an only child to John Cade Murray and Alice Isabel Dawson.
Mrs Sutherland was educated at Finley and the Methodist Ladies College before completing her Leaving Certificate in 1938.
She completed Bachelor of Arts and diploma at the University of Sydney and became an English and history teacher, and eventually head teacher, at schools in Wagga and Gunnedah.
She was also an author, philosopher, teacher, historian, Christian and genealogist.
She travelled to around Australia and to Ireland, Egypt, Spain, Turkey, Saudi Arabia, the Philippines and Hong Kong.
She married John Ramsay Sutherland, a former deputy principal of the Wagga Agricultural College, on May 7, 1943 at St Paul’s College in Sydney and they had nine children.
One of her most trying times came after the family home was destroyed by a fire in 1964.
She went back to work as a teacher at Mount Austin High School to help get the family back on its feet.
Mrs Sutherland was a former president of the Wagga Arts Society, district commissioner of Girl Guides, member of the Business and Professional Women’s Association, Toast Mistress, Zonta International, a member of Wagga and Canberra bridge clubs and the Wagga High School P&C.
Her published books include Folio of Australian History (1980), A Biography of Australian Artists (1996), From Farm Boys to PhDs (1986-1996) and Grist to the Mill (2001).
Mrs Sutherland’s funeral will be held at St John’s Church in the ACT on June 16 at midday.
She is survived by nine children, 22 grandchildren and 28 great grandchildren.