Halpin Way

Ann Halpin

Welcome to Halpin Way which is named in recognition of Sister Ann Halpin and her significant contribution to the community and women of Dandenong.

Ann Halpin (1939-2009) was a member of ‘Presentation Sisters Victoria’ an educational and religious institute of the Catholic Church whose mission focusses on community development and support.

In the spirit of this mission, Ann dedicated her life and work to the Dandenong community and was well known for her generosity of time and effort. Ann was a Dandenong local for decades – she was Principal of St Mary’s School in Dandenong from 1974–1980 and later studied community development at Dandenong TAFE.

Ann became aware of the growing numbers of isolated and lonely women in the Dandenong community – and founded ‘Wellsprings for Women’ in 1994 – a centre which quickly became successful in its mission to empower, connect and enrich womens lives.

In honour of her achievements, Ann Halpin was named a ‘City of Greater Dandenong Living Treasure’, was Greater Dandenong’s Citizen of the Year 2009 and added to the Australia Day Awards Victorian Honour Roll.

“Ann saw her clients not as a project but as real women with names and faces whom she knew and cared deeply about…Ann never stopped giving”  Community member

“Ann embodied so much of what Dandenong is about – embracing community, celebrating diversity, volunteering, creating safe space for women and sharing a vision of community”  Community member