Mary-Anne is from the Napranum community in western Cape York Peninsula. She was educated by the Moravian missionaries in Weipa. Immediately afterwards she joined the workforce as secondary education was not available to Indigenous children in those days.

Mary-Anne’s affection for her community and her family, whom she considers to be one of the greatest achievements of her life, has led her to being involved in many activities and projects run by the Napranum Council. She is a member of the local Justice Group where she is a volunteer providing support and mediation while focusing on Women and Child Protection. She is also the Co-ordinator for the Women’s Organisation for the Drumalon Healing Centre and is a board member of WAKA and of the Shalom College in Townsville.

She believes her other greatest achievements have been being a part of the development of the Drumalon Healing Centre, attending Macquarie University and helping to organise an educational, cultural trip for the Napranum kids club to Fiji.