Sheila Allan (nee Colgrave) was born at Montrose private hospital in Canning Street, Launceston in 1933, the eldest child of Colin and Margaret Colgrave. She was a teacher at Wynyard State School from 1951 to 1955, and Lilydale Area School in 1956. She was a dedicated volunteer with various Mothers Clubs, Parents and Friends Associations, Scout groups, Red Cross, Adult Literacy organisations, Probus and a Launceston General Hospital kiosk volunteer.