Obituaries Australia

Ellestan Dusting OBE was a Brownie, Guide and Ranger in Canberra and attended Canberra High School. She was Guide Commissioner in Canberra and in 1970 was elected President of the Trefoil Guild in Canberra. Guiding was always a large part of Ellestan’s life.

Ellestan came from a musical family and she excelled a pianist and singer. She had an interest in Indigenous art, owned many paintings and was an avid photographer, taking many slides from her many trips across the globe.

In 1954 she was the youngest member of the official Commonwealth Royal visit staff of Queen Elizabeth’s visit and was known as the person who packed everything into a very small suitcase and a hat box – no doubt something she had learned as a Guide and Ranger.

As a young adult, Ellestan served on the Commonwealth Public Service Board. She was the long serving press, private and personal secretary to Sir Paul Hasluck who she counted as a true friend. She is reported as being a “formidable watchdog” in her working life.

Ellestan also served as Australian Trefoil Guild Adviser in the early 1970’s and was President of Australian Fellowship of Former Scouts and Guides at the same time.

From 1978 Ellestan held the role of Deputy Director of the World Bureau of WAGGGS in London, Vice President of The Pan Pacific and South East Asia Women’s Association in the early 80’s and then Honorary President soon after.