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North Caulfield resident Trish Richards was a vibrant woman who loved to give her time to help others, and Amaze is incredibly grateful for her bequest, which will help all autistic people in our community. We wanted to share Trish’s story with you to acknowledge her generosity, so please read on to find out more about this wonderful woman.
Giving was in Trish Richards’ DNA.
The vivacious Melbourne woman who loved travelling and gardening, was a generous person. She spent a lot of her retirement years volunteering for organisations such as Traveller’s Aid, the Uniting Care drop-in centre and her local op shop.
But it was Trish’s love of children that led her to leave a Will bequest to Amaze, according to her niece Amanda Tattam.
Amanda says Trish did not have her own children and in her forties decided to train as a mothercraft nurse, helping many families during her career while also making life-long friendships.
Trish left part of the proceeds of the sale of her North Caulfield apartment to Amaze – she just wanted to keep helping.
“Trish had the biggest heart – she was young at heart and always had an endless amount of love to give,” Amanda says.
“We are enriched for having known her and laughed with her, and for having many big hugs and lipstick kisses.”
Trish lived in North Caulfield from the mid-1970s, working mostly so she could travel. And travel she did, visiting 44 countries over the years including China, Russia and Antarctica with her last big trip to the United Kingdom a few years ago.
Amanda says Trish was “without a doubt, a favourite aunt to many” including the children she helped over the years.
“She was the exotic one – who never married, travelled the world to 44 countries, worked in reception and admin roles. She could do what she pleased, and she did, but at the same time was always there for other people,” Amanda says.
“She always had a pet cat, many handbags, lots of jewellery and shoes and a full fridge of food and endless treats to eat. She called herself The Countess of Caulfield – she loved a party and had a great social life.”
From the bottom of our hearts, Amaze thanks the wonderful Trish for her very generous bequest and her niece Amanda for facilitating the donation. Trish’s generosity will be gratefully received by the many autistic people that will benefit from our work and we will continue this work in Trish’s honour.
If you would like to discuss leaving a bequest to Amaze in your Will, please contact Amaze supporter services at 03 9657 1600 or email [email protected].