Margaret River arts icon Anne Shepherdson remembered after sudden death

Margaret River’s arts community is in mourning after the shock death of Anne Shepherdson last week. The 72-year-old grandmother — who in 2022 was awarded an Order of Australia Medal in recognition for her services to the arts — was widely regarded as the “prime mover” of the arts scene and integral to the establishment of peak group Arts Margaret River as well as numerous other local groups and programs. Her death comes as Arts Margaret River celebrates its 50th year in operation, and left volunteers and residents in the wider community stunned. Close friend Ros Blakeney told the Times her friend would be remembered for crucial community efforts back when the pair met in the 1970s. “We both had a craft/art stall at a fair in the old shire hall, where Woolies is now,” Mrs Blakeney said. “I joined the community centre when Anne and other people around town established it on Station Road. “Anne was a valued member of the committee who never lost sight of the purpose the community centre was set up for — to care for and support the wider community of the area. “She helped steer us and supported our ideas and values. Her legacy will live on at the centre.” In 2022, the Times reported Mrs Shepherdson’s OAM recognition after years of local service. Mrs Shepherdson and her husband Lloyd moved to the region from Perth in the late 1970s and the tireless volunteer quickly threw herself into community life. She was integral to the Margaret River Primary School’s early parents and citizens committee and the budding Margaret River Arts Council. Mrs Shepherdson was also a crucial advocate for the early Margaret River Community Centre, originally on Station Road, and banded together with other residents to save the old Margaret River Hospital from demolition. While raising three children, Mrs Shepherdson “played mum” through Margaret River Rotary’s youth exchange, and in 2012 was awarded Rotary’s Paul Harris Fellowship — Rotary International’s highest acknowledgement. She was also an advocate of the Cape to Cape Track, the Community Centre for Children childcare service, a member of Business and Professional Women Australia, and known to many through her work as a dietician. In 2022, she told the Times she believed many long-term residents were equally worthy of the OAM honour. She said helping community projects was just “in the blood”. “I came from a family of women who have just done things,” Mrs Shepherdson said. “We grew up with the arts in our blood, really, and I was interested in the community aspects of it.” Mr Shepherdson told the Times he was grateful for the outpouring of emotion. He and his family were still in shock at the sudden news, coming on the heels of the businessman and his wife celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary in January. Mrs Shepherdson’s leadership for many years cemented enormous loyalty among all who worked for her.