Anne Deveson, Australian writer and broadcaster, Died at 86

  Writer

Anne Barbara Deveson was born on June 19, 1930, in Kuala Lumpur, Malaya and died on December 12, 2016.

She was an Australian writer, broadcaster, filmmaker and social commentator.

During World War II, her family relocated to Western Australia as refugees.

Deveson attempted a Science degree in England but dropped out to pursue other interests.

She was one of many broadcasters who opposed non-communist involvement in Vietnam.

She was the second wife of broadcaster Ellis Blain (1914–1979).

Her son Jonathan developed schizophrenia and ultimately died of a drug overdose.

Anne Deveson wrote about her experience, in the book Tell Me I’m Here which won the 1991 Human Rights Award for non-fiction and then translated her work into the documentary film, Spinning Out.

Anne Deveson helped establish the Schizophrenia Fellowship of NSW and, in 1986 together with Dr Margaret Leggatt, launched the national body Schizophrenia Australia Foundation, now named SANE Australia.

Her book Resilience was written after the sudden death of her partner, the English economist Robert Theobald in 1999 and draws on her emotions and feelings.

Anne Deveson passed away at 86 years old.