A Top End story of service and community

Supplied by Pastoral Care Volunteer Helen Coburn

In 1962, Joan Sully, looking for adventure, said goodbye to family and friends in Melbourne and flew north to Darwin. She had a Government job as a preschool teacher and like all single public servants, she boarded at the Mitchell Street Hostel. It wasn’t long before she met Gary Halvorson, a young engineer from Perth. After a whirlwind romance, they were engaged and married in January 1963.

Married life for Gary and Joan was always busy. They had seven children and most of the family played competitive level sport. Gary encouraged the children to play hockey; Joan is very proud that her grandson Noah represents Australia in the Under 21 Hockey team. Even though their domestic life was hectic, Gary and Joan were very hospitable to their wide range of friends. Many people have fond memories of enjoyable functions at Banksia Street, sitting outside under the stars, overlooking the Timor Sea.

Like all families Joan and Gary faced challenges. In 1984 their daughter Megan was born with Down Syndrome. They were determined that Megan would be given every opportunity to participate as fully as possible in life. In response to her work with the Down Syndrome Association, in 2008 Joan was nominated as the NT finalist in the Barnardo’s Mother of the Year competition.

In her 50’s in spite of her active life, Joan was diagnosed with Bronchiectasis, a lung condition. It meant she was prone to regular lung infections which she had to manage.

When Gary retired, he accepted a position with the Catholic Diocese of Darwin as Property and Contracts Manager. After a visit to Joan’s mother in a Catholic aged care facility down south, they both agreed that Darwin needed a place like that.

Darwin had changed from a transient town to a city where people wanted to retire. There was a huge demand for appropriate facilities. Working with Bishop Ted Collins, and supported by hard working committees, Gary was instrumental in helping Southern Cross Care establish their retirement resort and aged care facility, aptly named Pearl, in the seaside suburb of Fannie Bay.

Sadly, Gary died in 2008. Gary’s contribution to the establishment of the chapel is commemorated by a plaque on the chapel wall. Joan maintained her connection with Pearl by helping Brother Sheldon organise a weekly Mass for the residents in the aged care facility. When Brother Sheldon left Darwin, Joan recruited some volunteers to help her organise the weekly Mass. She also visited the residents on Wednesdays, distributing communion. 

Over the years, Joan’s lung condition deteriorated to Emphysema. A severe fall exacerbated her condition and in 2024 Joan became a resident at Pearl Supported Care. She still made sure she never missed the weekly Mass!

Joan passed away in March 2026 and will be lovingly remembered by her children, 14 grandchildren and three great-grandchildren, as well as many in the Southern Cross Care community.