Annette Simmons

Annette Simmons (Chester) was born in Sydney. In the early 70's as a newlywed, she moved to Adelaide and she immediately joined WIZO Ilana, a new formed "young" WIZO group. By 1974, she took on the position of Secretary of WIZO Ilana and President in 1975 and from then on, during the late 70s and 80s she held various positions as either Treasurer, Secretary, President or Co-President.

Annette accepted a position on WIZO State Council of SA in 1989 as Tokens and Awards chairperson until she became the Honorary Treasurer of WIZO State Council in 2004, a position which she has held for the last 16 years. After Miriam Millingen left as President of WIZO SA, Annette led a four-person committee to run WIZO South Australia until 2017, when she was elected President/Chairman a position she remains in today.

During all these 50 years of being a WIZO volunteer, she managed to be a loving wife, a devoted mother and grandmother and a wonderful friend to many.

At the 2020 WIZO SA AGM, Annette was honoured with the Rebecca Sieff Award for her dedication and commitment to WIZO SA.

Annette has been very involved in the Jewish community in Adelaide, serving as Secretary and later Vice President of JNF South Australia. and also serving for many years on the Board of the Adelaide Hebrew Congregation.

In 1987, Annette was one of the first women to be elected on to the Board of the Adelaide Hebrew Congregation synagogue. She has served on the board numerous times since then and is still currently on the Board.