About Phoebe
Phoebe lived with a rare kind of energy - full of warmth, empathy, and a natural instinct to help others. Through her work as a nurse and her experiences both locally and abroad, she was drawn to supporting people through some of life’s most challenging moments.
This is where her story begins...
PHOEBE'S STORY
Phoebe Kate Barnet, was born on 13 June 1992 in Warren, Regional New South Wales, to her parents Tina and Jamie. The youngest of three, she grew up alongside her older brother Angus and sister Rachel, surrounded by family, laughter, and a strong sense of connection.
Most of Phoebe’s childhood impressons came from living on a cattle station west of Longreach in Western Queensland. It was here that her warmth, resilience, and deep appreciation for people and community began to take root.
She began her education at Our Lady’s School in Longreach before moving to Toowoomba Prep - where she formed many lifelong friendships that would stay with her always. Phoebe later attended St Margaret’s Anglican Girls School in Brisbane, where she stepped naturally into leadership as a Prefect and Head Boarder. Even then, she had a way of bringing people together - making others feel seen, included, and part of something.
Phoebe was a typical Gemini extrovert who thrived on new experiences, drawn to connecting and the joy of being surrounded by people. She was often the life of the party, but just as deeply valued one-on-one moments - always aware of those on the edges, and quietly bringing them in.
Raised in a family that found joy in the everyday, that warmth carried into every friendship and community she became part of. She loved to travel and explore, eventually visiting countries across six continents - but wherever she went, it was always people that mattered most.
A VOCATION DISCOVERED
Although accepted into Arts at the University of Queensland, she was uncertain of her future path. She chose to spend her gap year exploring where she felt most drawn.
She worked as a personal assistant for a woman recovering from surgery, a role that quietly reflected something already present in her: a natural instinct to care, to support, and to lift others through difficult moments.
That instinct became something deeper during her time in Kenya, where she worked with a foundation building schools and supporting children in remote villages. It was there, in a small village medical centre, that Phoebe found her vocation - not just in helping people through the trials of illness or injury, but in the way she did it - with warmth, lightness, and an ability to brighten even the hardest days.
She had a rare gift for connecting, making people feel safe, seen, and able to keep moving forward. It was here that Phoebe discovered her unique knack for relating to others and helping them move forward in their lives.
NURSING AND TRAVEL
Inspired by her time in Kenya, Phoebe returned home with clarity and purpose, changing her studies to Nursing at the University of Technology Sydney.
After graduating, she worked in the Oncology ward at Royal Prince Alfred where she walked alongside patients and families through some of life’s most challenging moments. She supported patients through challenging roads to recovery and, in some cases, through to their last days.
"I once asked Phoebe whether oncology was too much - whether being so close to loss would weigh too heavily. She simply said no, because she knew she was making a difference to every patient she cared for, especially in their final days. That was what stayed with her."
- Jamie, Phoebe's Father.
She had an extraordinary ability to bring light into difficult spaces - offering not just care, but comfort, humour, and genuine connection. Many remember her not just as a nurse, but someone who made them feel less alone and with great love and affection.
Even in demanding circumstances, she continued to deepen her empathy and capacity to support others. While the work was rewarding and fulfilling, it could also be draining, yet she still found the energy to nurture and expand her wide network of friends and connections, many of whom spoke of her kindness, her energy, and the way she made even the simplest interactions feel meaningful.
Phoebe's love of people and curiosity about the world continued to guide her and a yearning for travel eventually led her to broaden her horizons. She left for Florence, completed a course in Italian, and then worked for a family in Pescara. They passed on their knowledge and a love of food while she taught the children English conversation.
She later joined her future husband, Timothy Dawson - an experienced sailor, in Majorca, Spain. They worked on yachts for the next three years, sailing, exploring, and building many memories together. Their days were filled with Mediterranean races, quiet moments at sea, and discovering small, tucked-away restaurants along the coast.
As much as she loved her time away travelling, exploring and experiencing the world - home was never far from Phoebe's heart. She was counting down the days not only to be back with the people she loved most, but to return to the simple comforts of home - a real bed but mostly a kitchen, to cook and share the meals she had learned along her travels.
Phoebe had always found comfort in simple, everyday rituals. She loved baking and cooking - often late at night. Baking was her means of decompressing after a stressful day. Many a housemate, and later Tim, were woken by the clatter of pans and the aroma of freshly baked brownies or sourdough wafting up at some ungodly hour.
“When we all lived together, Phoebe was determined to perfect her cookie recipe - baking batch after batch (after probably a 13 hour night shift), testing different sugars and methods. She would just bake for people without even thinking about it; it was completely second nature to her. We were the lucky taste-testers and always had fresh cookies to eat.”
- Hannah, sister-in-law
For Phoebe cooking was yet another manifestation of her innate care and inclusion of others (a skill handed down from her mother) and it wasn't long before she found herself leaning back into these skills and once again supporting people in their time of need.
RETURN HOME
After returning to Sydney, she spent time accompanying patients recuperating from treatment in various Sydney hospitals back to their homes in regional communities - places like Parkes and Alice Springs. These journeys were deeply rewarding to her, offering time to connect, listen, and support people beyond the clinical setting.
She later worked in the Renal ward at North Shore Private Hospital before moving closer to home in Manly and joining South Steyne Medical Clinic as a Clinic Nurse during the COVID pandemic. It was here that she became aware of the extraordinary work of Bear Cottage, a hospice providing bright and caring support to children with life-threatening issues and their families - a place that reflected so much of what she believed in: care, compassion, and bringing light to families during the most difficult times.
In Manly, Phoebe built a life with her husband, Tim, grounded in love, friendship, and the simple joy of everyday moments together. Surrounded by family and close friends, they were married in a celebration that reflected exactly who she was - warm, joyful, (a little bit chaotic) and deeply connected to the people she loved.
Phoebe adored her nieces and nephews, and with another on the way, her love for them only continued to grow. She cherished every moment she could spend with them - whether at the beach, at the park, or simply being silly together. To them, she was fun, present, and full of life, the kind of aunt every child is lucky to have.
Phoebe later embraced a new chapter and challenge in a marketing and support role with Medtronic, a health tech company. Because of her passion and rural background, Phoebe took on a portfolio of largely regionally based clients across North Queensland.
On 19 February 2024, Phoebe’s life was tragically cut short in a head-on vehicle accident at the age of 31, just shy of her second wedding anniversary. Her loss is felt deeply by all who knew and loved her.
Phoebe was our “sunshine girl,” with a unique gift for brightening lives and bringing a smile to every face. She would want us all to celebrate life and continue making the world a better place. A memorial was held in her honour in Manly, where more than 450 family members, friends, colleagues from every chapter of her life, and acquaintances travelled or dialled in via a live stream from across the world to remember and celebrate her life.
From her roots to the life she built, Phoebe’s greatest gift was the way she shared her light - her warmth, her joy, her sunshine. This foundation is a continuation of that - a way to honour her life and ensure her light continues to reach those who need it most.
