Beryl Lane

Teacher, Mother and Traveller

“Even now I meet children who say to me, ‘you gave me a real desire to travel’.” - Beryl Lane

In this special episode of Three Food Memories, we revisit one of our most unforgettable moments - when Beryl Lane finally met her idol, Ita Buttrose.

From Macksville in regional NSW, Beryl is a retired teacher, mother of two, and an intrepid traveller - but above all, a lifelong admirer of Ita. Now fame, power, and influence may follow Ita - but on this particular night, her legacy arrived in the form of a fabulous, freshly frocked fan, who'd flown in from Coffs Harbour to see the woman she’s adored for decades, on the cusp of her 80th birthday. 

This mini episode captures a moment that speaks to Ita’s lasting impact on generations of Australian women, especially those in regional communities. Along the way, Beryl shares stories from her travels and reflects on the wisdom she’s gathered across eight decades of life.

For this episode, Beryl has chosen to support Anglicare Macksville, where she has volunteered in the local op shop since retiring. Through the Anglican Church in Australia, Anglicare has long been dedicated to supporting communities - both by advocating for structural change for those facing disadvantage, and by providing essential, practical assistance to people in need.