Carmel McKenna OAM

(1934–2023)

Community Advocate, Volunteer and Leader

Mary Carmel “Carmel” McKenna was a beloved and dedicated community leader whose life was defined by acts of kindness, generosity, and an unwavering commitment to those in need. Her decades of volunteer work, advocacy for local schools and sports clubs, and support for families in need left a lasting impact on those experiencing hardship and on the communities she served. Her extraordinary dedication is made even more remarkable given the fact that she was the mother of 11 children and, in school holidays, cared for up to 17 children in her home.

Born in Camberwell, Victoria, on 13 August 1934, Carmel was the eldest child of Francis Michael (Frank) and Mary Veronica (Molly) Horne. Growing up in a busy household, she learned the value of hard work, resourcefulness, and compassion. After leaving school at 15, Carmel completed a hairdressing apprenticeship in Melbourne. In 1957, she married Desmond James McKenna, and together they created a loving home in East Camberwell.

While raising her family in East Camberwell between 1957 and 1970, Carmel supported local orphans, families, and women in need. She volunteered her hairdressing skills at a local orphanage and for children with disabilities, prepared meals for struggling families, and offered practical help and guidance. She also contributed to youth and community programs that strengthened local connections.

After the family moved to Upper Beaconsfield in 1970, Carmel continued her tireless community service. She helped establish the Upper Beaconsfield Community Care Group, delivered meals through Meals on Wheels for more than 15 years, and was an active contributor to community committees, events, and fundraisers for organisations including the Country Women’s Association, St Vincent de Paul, the Red Cross, Freedom from Hunger, and Community Aid Abroad. She also supported local children’s sport through the Beaconsfield Junior Football Club — running the canteen, washing muddy uniforms, and cheering from the sidelines and established the Upper Beaconsfield Junior Tennis Club.

From 2002 to 2017, Carmel lived in Malmsbury and was active in the Malmsbury and Kyneton communities. She co-founded the We Care group and the Preloved Pedlar op shop, continued delivering Meals on Wheels, assisted elderly neighbours with daily tasks, and contributed to the Malmsbury Mail newsletter. Her lifelong dedication to helping others continued to strengthen her community well into her later years.

Her family remembers Carmel saying, “There’s one four letter word I really, really love — love,”[1] a reflection of the warmth and generosity that defined her life.

Carmel demonstrated courage and calm under pressure, notably during the Ash Wednesday fires of 1983, when she safely evacuated her children and supported her family and community in the aftermath.

Her extensive contributions were recognised with the Living Treasure Award from St Francis Xavier College in 2011 and the Order of Australia Medal in 2022. True to her character, she accepted these honours with humility, preferring to serve quietly and lead by example.

Carmel passed away in 2023, leaving a legacy of generosity, kindness, and courage. Her life embodied the values she most cherished, reflected in the words she loved by Adam Lindsay Gordon:

“Life is mostly froth and bubble,
Two things stand like stone.
Kindness in another’s trouble,
Courage in your own.”[2]

Commemoration

Following community consultation, and with the support of Cardinia Shire Council, a new road bridge in Beaconsfield was named McKenna Drive in her honour. The naming recognises Carmel’s decades of service to local schools, sports clubs, families, and the broader community.

 

Acknowledgement

This biography was written by Her Place Women’s Museum in consultation with family and community sources, with thanks to Cardinia Shire Council for their recognition of Carmel McKenna’s remarkable contribution to the community.

Primary Resource – McKenna, P.M. 2025. Mary Carmel McKenna: Contributions to society. Unpublished manuscript, family records.

Photograph:

Carmel McKenna as a young woman, photograph provided by Family.

References

McKenna, B, et al. (2023). Eulogy for Mary Carmel McKenna OAM. Family records.

St Francis Xavier College. (2011). Living Treasure Award recipient – Mary Carmel McKenna.

Australian Government Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet. (n.d.).

Honours database: Mary Carmel McKenna OAM. 

Star News Group. (2022, January 27). A lifetime of giving. Pakenham Gazette.

Star News Group. (2023, August 30). Tribute to Carmel McKenna.Berwick Gazette. News Group. (2025, March 13).