Dorothea Furness (Sister) was born in Melbourne but trained as a nurse at the Ballarat Base Hospital. Aged 25, she joined the Australian Army Nursing Service on August 3rd 1915. She embarked for overseas service aboard the Mooltan on December 26th 1916 and sailed to India. She served with the British India Service in Bombay, India, mostly nursing British soldiers. In May 1918 she was Mentioned in Despatches for conspicuous service. She returned to Australia aboard the City of Cairo, disembarked on March 31st 1919 and her position was terminated on November 27th.

Her brother James also served in the AIF and is honoured with a tree in the Avenue.