Minute by the Lord Mayor
To Council:
I inform Council of the passing of Commander
Marcia Chalmers RN (Retd), former secretary of Millers Point Resident Action
Group, on Thursday 6 November 2025.
Marcia was born on 25 June 1939 in Bangalow
to Maisie and Victor Chalmers.
After leaving Hornsby High School with an
Intermediate Certificate, Marcia began what she would later call her “tour of
duty through dullness.” Her early jobs included being a trainee teller at the
Commonwealth Bank, a clerk at the T&G Insurance Company and as a dental
nurse. She worked at a little company called Myart, which sold embroidery
materials - their products now treasured as “vintage.” Apart from keeping the
office running, Marcia stitched her own pieces at home, which gave a glimpse
into her creativity and care.
In 1958, Marcia joined the Women’s Royal
Australian Naval Service (WRANS) as a telegraphist, inspired by her
grandfather, Captain James Henderson Chalmers, and encouraged by her growing
interest in communications.
This marked the beginning of a distinguished
career spanning more than three decades. Her postings included HMAS Harman,
Lonsdale, Melville, Cerberus, and Kuttabul, among others. In 1962 she was
selected for Officer Training, and in April 1963 she was commissioned as a
Probationary Third Officer WRANS.
Marcia served in numerous capacities,
including Communications Officer, Senior Training Officer, and Director of
Individual Training in Defence. Her roles encompassed training, communications,
personnel management, and family welfare programs. As Senior Training Officer
at HMAS Cerberus, work involved developing support systems for Defence families
- initiatives which continue to this day. She also completed the Joint Services
Staff Course in 1983 and attained the rank of Commander in 1983.
After 32 years of service, Marcia retired
from the Navy in July 1989 leaving the Service with enormous pride in all that
she had achieved, and a deep gratitude for the opportunities and friendships it
had given her.
Following her retirement, Marcia joined St
John Ambulance (NSW), where she managed the office supporting First Aid
volunteers. Later, as Manager of Community Care, she oversaw programs in
literacy and public health, including the School Immunisation Program. These
roles reflected her lifelong commitment to service and the welfare of others.
Marcia and her sister, Millicent later shared
a heritage-listed terrace in Millers Point, in the shadow of the Sydney Harbour
Bridge. Their home became a place of friendship, community, and conversation
filled with books, lively debate, and the occasional rearrangement of
furniture. Both sisters were active in the Millers Point Residents’ Action
Group, with Marcia serving as its secretary from 2005 to 2016, assisting
Millicent who was chair from 2013.
Marcia and Millicent were heavily involved in
the original Save the Rocks campaign and the first “whole suburb” heritage
listing of Millers Point in 2003. Marcia was also a leader in the acquisition,
restoration and management of Darling House, Trinity Avenue, originally for
aged local residents but now privatised. They were also actively involved in
the Darling House Aged care board, and the Sydney Mechanics’ School of Arts.
After the former State Government sold the
social housing in Millers Point, Marcia and Millicent moved to another terrace
in Glebe. After Millicent’s passing, Marcia continued to fill that home with
life, tending her garden, reading, studying Italian and Latin, and maintaining
close connections with family and friends.
Marcia is well remembered by family, friends
and colleagues, with one former colleague observing: “I remember her well – she
was a formidable role model in the mid-80s and has always been something of a
legend for those of us who were junior female officers at the time.”
the Rt HOn
CLOVER MOORE AO
Lord Mayor of Sydney
Moved by
the Chair (the Lord Mayor), seconded by Councillor Miller –
It is resolved that:
(A)
all
persons attending this meeting of Council observe one minute's silence to
commemorate the life of Commander Marcia Chalmers RN (Retd) and her significant
contribution to the Royal Australian Navy, St John Ambulance and the
communities of Millers Point and The Rocks;
(B)
Council
express its condolences to Marcia's family, friends and colleagues; and
(C)
the
Lord Mayor be requested to write to Marcia's family to convey Council's
condolences.
Carried
unanimously.
S051491
Note – all
Councillors, staff and members of the public present stood in silence for one
minute as a mark of respect to Commander Marcia Chalmers RN (Retd).