Born in Hamilton, Dame Ann Ballin suffered from a neurological condition in her teens that attacked her spinal column, confining her to a wheelchair for the remainder of her life. Determined, Ann became a psychologist and used her experiences to help others, including working as a Student Counsellor at UC. Chairing the Victims’ Task Force in 1988, she pioneered changes in the criminal justice system to improve justice for victims of crime. In her lifetime, she was awarded New Year Honours, appointed Commander of the Order of the British Empire and a year before her death in 2003, Ann was appointed membership of the Order of New Zealand for her contribution to community.