A Life of Service and Love
On the occasion of Sister Angela Mary Doyle’s 100th birthday, August 19, communities across Australia paused to honor a woman whose life has been defined by compassion, resilience, and a quiet determination to serve. Her journey from Ireland to Australia after World War II led her to become a pillar of the Mater Misericordiae Hospitals in Brisbane, where her leadership and vision transformed maternal and infant care for generations.
A Bridge Between Communities
For 35 years, Sister Angela Mary has been more than a supporter—she has been family to Tzu Chi volunteers in Australia. Her trust and encouragement helped Tzu Chi establish its first volunteer service point at Mater Hospital in Brisbane, and her recommendations opened doors for Tzu Chi to serve in Sydney’s Lewisham Nursing Home and Melbourne’s Mercy Hospital for Women. These opportunities allowed Tzu Chi’s spirit of love and care to take root in Australian communities.
As former Tzu Chi Australia CEO Ya-ying Chen (紀雅瑩) expressed, “We are truly grateful to Sister Julia Wu, whose efforts brought Sister Angela Mary and Tzu Chi together. It was with Sister Angela's support that Tzu Chi was able to establish itself in mainstream Australian society. This force for good is the warmest light for Taiwan, and it is the eternal light of Tzu Chi.”
LEFT: Sister Angela Mary (center), accompanied by dignitaries, enters the celebration to a standing ovation from the audience. RIGHT: The Brisbane Mayor presents Sister Angela Mary with the Key to the City, making her the 59th recipient of this honor. | Photos: Tzu Chi Australia
Lessons in Humility and Compassion
Sister Angela Mary’s compassion is not just in her words, but in her actions. Ya-ying Chen shared a memory from 2017, when she accompanied Sister Angela on a visit to Taiwan. On a Taipei street, Sister Angela paused to kneel beside a homeless woman, gently holding her hand and offering a prayer and a blessing. She placed a donation directly into the woman’s hand, not her bowl—a gesture of respect and equality.
“That moment taught me that true compassion is not just about giving, but about lowering oneself and seeing every life as equal,” Ya-ying Chen said. “Sister Angela Mary’s humility and sincerity are her true strength.”
A Pillar of Support for Tzu Chi
Sister Angela Mary’s influence extends beyond personal acts of kindness. Twenty-five years ago, her recommendation letter was instrumental in helping Tzu Chi Australia secure tax-deductible status for donations—a milestone that enabled Tzu Chi to expand its charitable work nationwide. “Sister Angela Mary is the greatest benefactor to all Tzu Chi volunteers in Australia,” Ya-ying Chen said with emotion. “Words cannot express our gratitude.”
During the celebration on August 12, Tzu Chi volunteers from across Australia—Brisbane, Sydney, Perth, Adelaide, and Melbourne—joined in person and online. Sydney volunteers sent 150 handmade longevity peach buns as a symbol of blessing, and each guest received one as a token of unity and good fortune.
LEFT: Sydney volunteers carefully present handmade longevity peach buns, a symbol of blessing and unity, at Sister Angela Mary’s birthday celebration. | Photo: Mater Foundation. RIGHT: Volunteers from Adelaide, Perth, and Melbourne join the celebration via live stream, sending creative birthday wishes and heartfelt blessings. | Photo: Ya-ying Chen
A Message of Shared Values
In her speech, Sister Angela Mary recalled,
When Julia Wu told me, ‘You cannot truly understand Tzu Chi until you meet Master Cheng Yen,’ I knew instantly, even without understanding Chinese, that we would be lifelong friends because we share the same ideals. Meeting Master Cheng Yen has been one of the greatest blessings of my life. Her wisdom, humility, and strength, and her teachings of gratitude, respect, and love, are values I will always cherish.
What matters most is not just giving, but leading others to give as well. This collective strength is what brings about real change, just as Master Cheng Yen believes.
When asked about her secret to a long and healthy life, Sister Angela Mary replied,
Always think of others, and live with compassion and care. That will fill your life with energy.
LEFT: Tzu Chi volunteers from across Australia gather to celebrate Sister Angela Mary’s centennial, united in gratitude and respect. | Photo: Tzu Chi Australia. RIGHT: Andrew Thomas, CEO of the Mater Foundation, expresses gratitude for the enduring partnership and shared mission with Tzu Chi. | Photo: Mater Foundation
A Community’s Gratitude
The centennial celebrations, held at both Mater Hospital and the Tzu Chi Brisbane office, reflected the unity and gratitude of all involved. When Sister Angela Mary entered the venue, her dignified presence inspired the entire audience to rise in respect and admiration. The Brisbane Mayor presented her with the Key to the City, a rare honor that speaks to her profound impact.
The events were made possible by the collective efforts of volunteers from many cities, both in-person and online. As Tzu Chi Brisbane shared, “We are grateful to all the Tzu Chi Bodhisattvas across Australia for making Sister Angela Mary’s 100th birthday tea gathering possible. Many cities joined online, and everyone’s sincere blessings surely touched Sister Angela Mary’s heart.”
LEFT: Sister Angela Mary receives birthday wishes and gifts from Tzu Chi volunteers, including symbolic lamps representing wisdom and compassion. The gift was presented in the “Tzu Chi Room” at Mater Hospital, a testament to decades of collaboration and shared service. RIGHT: Volunteers gather outside the historic Mater Hospital, a symbol of enduring partnership and compassion.| Photos: Tzu Chi Australia
A Blessing for the Future
Sister Angela Mary’s 100th birthday was not just a celebration of age, but a celebration of a life spent in service, humility, and love. Her legacy is woven into the fabric of Tzu Chi’s journey in Australia and continues to inspire all who know her. As she said, “I am filled with gratitude for everyone’s kindness and shared mission. May God and the Buddhas bless you all!”
To learn more about Sister Angela Mary’s remarkable life and legacy, watch the feature by A Current Affair:
