Life Membership Award Bernardine Brierty

Bernardine Brierty of Bowra & O’Dea Funeral Directors in WA was awarded the greatest honour of life membership of the Australian Funeral Directors Association (AFDA) at the 2023 AFDA National Convention on Saturday 25 February.

To be honoured and recognised in this way is a true reflection of the enormous contribution Bernardine has made to the funeral industry at a state, national and international level.

Life membership is the highest award presented by the AFDA in recognition of an individual who makes an outstanding and exceptional contribution to the service and work of AFDA at a national level and to the common good of the profession. Bernardine is a worthy recipient of this award serving AFDA both divisionally and nationally continuously for over 20 years.

National President Adrian Barrett had great pleasure in presenting Bernardine with her Life Membership Award which was witnessed by nearly 200 industry colleagues from across Australia and New Zealand at the National Convention in Canberra. Adrian praised Bernardine’s thoughtful decision-making and contributions as a National Councillor, State Councillor and on State and National Executives, from the day-to-day running of meetings, through to major contributions which have changed the Association for the better.

Bernardine’s involvement in AFDA, both at a national and state level is extraordinary, as President of the Western Australian Division (2003-2005) and current WA Divisional Councillor, as a National Councillor (2003-

2021), National Executive member and serving as National President of the AFDA from 2011-2013. In all these roles Bernardine has been an exceptional leader and a trailblazer for the funeral industry.

Bernardine has not only put herself forward to serve the Association but has also given her time generously to organisations such as NEAMI National to co-design and pilot a training package to support staff awareness and communication around working with funerals due to suicide. This collaboration has resulted in a unique, industry led training product which is now ready to be shared with all funeral companies and providers.

There are many firsts that Bernardine has accomplished over her many years of service – becoming the first female President, the first non-owner/family member President, conducting the first Asian conference with the Asia Funeral Expo in China, forging international industry relations with FIAT-IFTA and other Associations, representing AFDA at the Inaugural Women’s World Summit for Funeral Professionals International Conference in Wuhan, being integral to the introduction of Continuing Professional Development (CPD), the Code of Professional Conduct and the Your Goodbye campaign, just to name a few.

Reflecting on her time as a National Councillor Bernardine said she has felt privileged to sit with her fellow Councillors, enjoying their company and mentorship, and to have been a part of so many changes for the benefit of AFDA and the families we serve.