The death of Anne Deveson in December 2016 was a great loss to Australia. She was a member of the Royal Commission on Human Relationships in the 1970s that ushered in the legalisation of homosexuality, women’s refuges, the decriminalisation of abortion, among other reforms. She Chaired and launched many other great Australian institutions and civil society organisations.

Sari Braithwaite’s documentary Paper Trails is about the period of Anne Deveson’s life after all these accomplishments. She is packing up her personal papers for the National Library of Australia. Film-maker Sari Braithwaite is helping her with this process. Sari is my daughter.

As they pack and enjoy each other’s company, Anne reflects on her life and work as a mental health advocate. She is struggling with the Alzheimers from which she will soon die.

This is a film about resilience: an inspiring woman continues her life’s projects as she packs them up on terms of her choosing. Final messages are sealed in the packing.

Sari Braithwaite interviewing Anne Deveson

Sari Braithwaite interviewing Anne Deveson (photo: Filmink)

Paper Trails debuts at the Antenna Documentary Film Festival, Wednesday, October 11.

As part of Mental Health Week, it will then be broadcast on ABC’s Compass on Saturday October 14.