Red Marie – Blue Mountains Portraits 2025
Marie Standen
Born in March 1931 above her Father’s grocery store on the corner of Megalong Street and
Govetts Leap Road Blackheath, Marie lived the majority of her 92 years in the Blue Mountains. A
passionate human rights activist, educator and feminist Marie was widely known, memorable
and respected in the Blue Mountains and the wider communities.
Beginning a career in teaching at Toongabbie in the early 1950s while completing a Degree at
Sydney University as an evening student Marie believed in the power of education to uplift the
disadvantaged, break down prejudice and promote understanding. Retiring as Principal at
Katoomba High School, Marie had two terms at Springwood High School, First in1969 as School
Librarian and later as Special Mistress while awaiting the outcome of a landmark equal rights
case in the high court against the Department of Education.
On retirement in 1993 Marie was invited to join the University of the Third age serving on the
committee for 12 years. Marie continued running a literature group at The U3A from 1993 until
she was 90 years of age.
Marie’s passions included highlighting the rights of refugees. In 2001 enraged by the injustice
of the Tampa incident, Marie founded the Blue Mountains Refugee Support Group. The group
has amassed more than 800 members, who continue to support and change the lives of
countless refugees in our community and in detention for the better. Marie continued to be
active as a lobbyist after retiring from the committee until her death
It is impossible to list all Marie’s many and varied services to the community.
A strident, colourful and principled woman with an enormous heart. She is remembered as an
inspiration to us all.
In November 2020 was awarded an Order of Australia, along with The Centenary Medal in 2000
in recognition of her tireless efforts in the fields of education, human rights and overall service to
our Mountains community.
Marie passed away in September 2023.
ARTIST INFORMATION
Name of Artist: Rob Standen
Biography
Rob Standen is a self taught commissioned landscape and figurative artist working in the Blue
Mountains.
Rob has a degree in Anatomy from The University of NSW. and a masters degree in Sports
Physiotherapy from the University of Sydney. He has worked in the wider Blue Mountains and
Far Western Sydney regions for 36 years.
Rob’s landscape work draws on his understanding of the historical geography and geology of the
landscape overlayed by the natural beauty and the changes brought upon it by human and
natural environmental elements.
Rob’s figurative work and portraiture is influenced by his deep knowledge of anatomy and
biomechanics along with a passion to highlight the elements and vectors that cause us all to be
unique.
Marie is portrayed here in a predominately red palette to underline her passionate soul while the
white washed out colouring of the portrait represents her frustration at no longer being a useful
member of the community due to her great age toward the end of her life
About Post Author
