Glen Ann Cameron lived a life defined by compassion, independence, and generosity. A nurse by training and a philanthropist by instinct, Glen’s enduring commitment to the care of others extended well beyond hospital walls. Her final act of giving – a significant bequest to The University of Queensland – will support research to improve the health and welfare of companion animals. It’s a gift that not only honours her lifelong love for animals, but also reflects her deep values of care, connection and service.
“Growing up, Glen was just my aunt,” her nephew Tom Cameron remembers. “She was at the family events – Christmases, birthdays – but as a kid, you don’t always realise the richness of the people around you.” That changed later in life when Tom and his wife helped her through the final chapter of her life. “Over the last eight years, as her health declined and dementia set in, we spent a lot of time with her. That’s when I really got to know her – and appreciate just how remarkable she was.”
Born in the 1930s, Glen came of age during a time when women were often steered toward secretarial or domestic roles. But she had other ideas. “She didn’t want to be a secretary like her parents hoped,” Tom says. “Instead, she went into nursing. She was clearly intelligent, driven and fiercely independent.” Her nursing career became a central part of her identity, and one she took great pride in. Even after retiring early, Glen spoke fondly of her years caring for others and remained closely connected to many of her former colleagues. “At her celebration of life, I met people she had worked with decades earlier. They still had stories – funny, warm, a little mischievous. She made a real impact.”
Glen was also financially astute, buying property in Sydney and investing in the stock market at a time when few women did. “She made two big investments in her life,” Tom says. “Her finances and her friendships. Both paid off.” She cultivated deep relationships with a wide network of friends and remained in close contact with many of them over the years – friendships that offered her comfort, company and joy, particularly as she grew older.
One of Glen’s greatest sources of companionship came from her beloved dogs, most often dachshunds, always in pairs. “She never married or had children,” Tom explains. “So, to some extent, her dogs were her children. They gave her loyalty and love. Her last little companion, Cleo, was incredibly intelligent and clearly cared for her just as much as Glen cared for Cleo.”
Glen’s love for animals was more than personal – it was also philanthropic. Throughout her life, she donated to a number of causes, many of them focused on animal welfare, including the RSPCA and UQ. Her connection to the university may have originated through her younger brother, Ranald Cameron, a researcher and lecturer in veterinary science at UQ. “Somewhere along the line, Glen became aware of the work being done at the university,” says Tom. “And knowing her, once she saw the impact that research could have, it would have made perfect sense for her to support it.”
Her bequest will support research that aims to improve the health and welfare of companion animals – animals like the ones she loved so dearly. It’s a fitting and heartfelt legacy from someone who gave so much, so often, without ever seeking recognition.
Even in her final years, Glen’s sense of humour remained one of her defining traits. “She had a wicked, dark sense of humour,” Tom says. “She loved murder mysteries – especially the British ones – and that cheeky wit never really left her. Even when dementia made things difficult, humour was our bridge. It brought her back to herself.”
Glen’s bequest to The University of Queensland ensures that her generosity will live on in meaningful, tangible ways. It’s a tribute to her love for animals, her belief in research and education, and her lifelong instinct to care for others.
“I’m so grateful we got that time with her,” Tom reflects. “It was a privilege to really know her. And I’m proud that her gift will continue to make a difference for years to come.”
For a chat about how you could support incredible research at The University of Queensland’s Faculty of Science, please contact Brenda Tournier, Associate Vice President, Advancement Faculty of Science via b.tournier@uq.edu.au or 0447 537 384.
