1949-2005

In 2009, Wendy Jamieson, a “tireless worker for social justice,” received a posthumous award from Waverley Council—a commemorative plaque on the Bondi boardwalk. This recognition celebrated her extraordinary contributions to the Bondi community. Wendy’s unwavering commitment to the Waverley community touched many lives, and her legacy continues to inspire.

Wendy grew up in Castlecrag, surrounded by the love of her parents and sister, Helen. Her passion for helping others led her to pursue a Social Work degree at the University of New South Wales (1968-1971). On graduation, she became Waverley Council’s first social worker (1972-1977), where she quickly established vital community services. Her fundraising prowess transformed the budget from $200,000 to an impressive $1 million.  This enabled the development of some of the first council’s community services, such as Meals on Wheels, Out of School Hours Care, and helping to establish the Bondi Beach Cottage.  Later she established the Lighthouse Community Inc, served as a Councillor and as a foster carer. Her passionate support of the disadvantaged made her a pillar of the community, who remember her with much love and gratitude.

In 1975, Wendy married Rodger and started her own family — a daughter, Greta, and two sons, Andrew and Timothy. Remarkably, motherhood didn’t slow her down and her family were always involved. On her return from six months overseas, Wendy continued to advocate for and assist the disadvantaged of the Bondi area. To ensure that the programs she’d begun were supported, she stood for Council as an Independent and served two terms (1977-1983).

Wendy’s time as a social worker highlighted for her the challenges faced by Bondi residents, prompting her to create a Christian-based welfare service that provided, not only practical assistance, but also spiritual and emotional support. In March 1992, the Lighthouse Community was born. Located in the old Rectory of St. Andrew’s Anglican Church in Wairoa Ave, Bondi, it began as an informal playgroup. Wendy and the mums gathered over tea and biscuits and shared their lives while their toddlers engaged in early learning activities. These conversations revealed a desperate need for practical and emotional help —which prompted Wendy to begin: advocating with government departments, medical and legal services; collecting and distributing food, clothes and furniture; providing emergency accommodation and ongoing support for those evicted or escaping domestic violence situations; assisting in finding long term accommodation and facilitating and supervising children’s access visits.  Wendy rallied volunteers and secured grants, including one from the Anglican Archbishop’s Care & Development Fund.

For many years, Wendy taught Special Religious Education (SRE) in 2 local schools and saw firsthand the difficulties some children experienced with learning.  This, and her discussions with mums at playgroup, led her to begin a homework help program (HWH) in 1994, with the help of a small grant from Waverley Council.  This program provided a vital link between families and the local schools.

Wendy was passionate about all children having equal educational opportunities and wanted the emphasis to be on having fun while learning. She also organised excursions to give the children the experience of enjoying museums, zoos and picnics. In 1998, Wendy negotiated for the Lighthouse to be auspiced and funded by Anglicare who provided salaries for Wendy, a homework help coordinator and a family support worker.  In 2001 when the auspicing, funding, and use of the old rectory ended, all Wendy’s ingenuity went into full drive and she sought and gained permission from Waverley Council for the Lighthouse activities, including HWH, to be accommodated by WAYS and the Early Childhood Centre in Wairoa Ave. Other than the HWH grant from Waverley Council, the Lighthouse relied solely on the generosity of church groups and individuals who donated finances and time as volunteers.

Another initiative was an informal Church and dinner on Friday evenings when the Lighthouse families gathered to find out about God and His love for them. This took place first at the old rectory and then, for many years, at Bondi Beach Public School. This group enjoyed annual family camps at Bundeena and many joyful celebrations together.

In June 2004, Wendy became seriously ill with pancreatic cancer and died at the Sacred Heart Hospice in March 2005. Throughout her illness, Wendy had continued to manage the affairs of the Lighthouse. On her death, the members of the Management Committee, along with other members of the group, decided that its work should continue.

Wendy’s legacy lives on through the Lighthouse Community Inc. Her love for family, unwavering faith in God, and dedication to building a strong community continue to inspire those who remember her with gratitude and affection.

Courtesy Roger Jamieson and family.