Angels in our Australian Capital Territory

Presentations in 2008 - our 40th Anniversay Year

Barbara Harvie works tirelessly at the Canberra Hospital for her chronic kidney disease and transplant patients. She also gives a lot of her personal time to do fantastic work for indigenous health, the Kidney Check Australia Taskforce program, creates nursing education programs and resources, and is a Nephrology Nurse Practitioner pioneer. All in all, she has a very busy schedule aimed at improving the lives of patients with chronic kidney disease.


Sheila Perryman has shown it is possible to live a long and comparatively normal life with kidney disease. Sheila was diagnosed with a renal problem after giving birth in 1962. And yet 46 years later she has never had to resort to dialysis or a transplant. She regularly saw a GP until 1983 when her condition worsened and she began attending her local renal clinic. She hit a low point in December 2001 when diagnosed with renal failure. It was then she was told she would be on dialysis within six months. Her brother offered to give her a kidney, but blood tests determined he would not be a suitable donor.

Today, Sheila’s kidney function is at about 20 per cent.

A former nurse and Day Care Supervisor, Sheila puts her comparatively good health down to a number of factors – diet, support from family and friends, the work of her local renal clinic, and a positive frame of mind.

Sheila has been a generous volunteer for Kidney Health Australia, not only assisting in the Canberra office but also as a guest speaker, sharing her knowledge and experience and spreading Kidney Health Australia’s messages to the wider community.