Jennifer Mullen
‘I am the Storm’ — Margaret Vincent OAM CstJ
Entered in the Archibald Prize, 2023
NFS
Marg is a Commander in the Order of St John, the NSW Peer Support Lead (for all of the St John’s Ambulance volunteers across NSW encompassing both adult and youth divisions), a member of the Advanced Casualty Medical Team, and she also helps out with emergency management when needed.
A little over a year ago, she was awarded an Order of Australia Medal in recognition of these services to our community.
In August 1968 Marg, a newly graduated Registered Nurse, married Ed. On 23 Dec 1971 Ed was diagnosed with an inoperable brain tumour and was told that as a result of his treatment, children wouldn’t be possible.
In 1972, they discovered that children were indeed possible and their son arrived soon after. He was their miracle baby. In 1975, they discovered that lightning can indeed strike twice and a second miracle son followed in mid-76.
On the 24th Dec 1976, Ed passed away, leaving Marg with a 3yo and 7mo. Marg had no access to formal child care and so had to rely on the kindness of her relatives. In 1984, the whole family joined St John’s Ambulance volunteers. In 92-93, she studied applied science and worked in workplace health. In 95-96, she studied Midwifery. She undertook all these accomplishments while raising her 2 boys solo.
“The voice whispered to her ‘you can’t withstand the storm’. She replied ‘I am the storm.’”