Eleanor’s interest in the Heard Island Project stems initially from a family connection. Her cousin Alastair (Jock) Forbes was part of the  1952-1953 ANARE team. Unfortunately Alastair died on the island while trying to find help for another team member (Twelve Came Back by Peter Lancaster Brown 1957).

Having trained as a nurse and midwife Eleanor subsequently spent most of her career in Nurse Education and was Principal of the schools of Nursing in Gloucestershire, England and Tayside, Scotland. Since retiring Eleanor has undertaken several volunteer roles, including Pastoral Assistant in her church in Dundee and currently as a Street Pastor in Aberdeen where she now lives. Her love of the Scottish mountains has led her to trek further afield, most recently in Myanmar and in 2012 to Everest Base Camp. She also provides respite foster care for children with special needs.