Sutherland graduated from the University of Melbourne with a science degree. She then began working in research and development for food used to aid troops serving overseas in World War II.
She moved to England for a few years before returning to Australia to raise her family and work alongside her husband, Dr Geoffrey Sutherland, at the Eye and Ear Hospital in Melbourne.
During this time, Sutherland developed an interest in gemstones and, in the 1950s, applied to the Gemmological Association of Australia’s Victorian Division to complete her Diploma in Gemmology.
At the time, this was no small venture, as study at the GAA was reserved solely for people within the gemstone and jewellery trade.
Sutherland challenged this tradition by persuading the GAA that education in gemmology should be open to all.
Successful at this task, she was the first non-trade person to complete the Diploma Course. Due to her tenacious nature, education in gemmology studies through the GAA is available to both 'trade' and 'non-trade' people.
Sutherland proved adept in gemmology, graduating with her diploma in 1960 and winning the Lustre Prize for the highest practical results in Australia.
She was fascinated by and loved diamonds and was instrumental in setting up the Diploma in Diamond Technology course.
She completed the course in 1967, gaining her Diploma in Diamond Technology with distinction.
During her GAA studies, Sutherland met Julia Myers, the owner of Sydney-based gemstone wholesale company Affiliated Importers Pty Ltd. Sutherland convinced Myers to expand the business.
In 1969, Sutherland opened and managed a Melbourne branch.
That position wouldn’t last long, however, as Sutherland wanted to be more involved in the educational side of gemmology.
According to an article published in The Australian Gemmologist in 2013, she resigned early in 1970 to devote more time to the GAA.
Sutherland dedicated herself to the GAA as a lecturer for gemmology and diamond technology courses. She also accepted an invitation to teach basic gemmology to gold and silversmith students at the RMIT School of Art.
The Sutherland Prize, founded at the GAA in 1971, was to be awarded to the student who achieved the highest marks in the Diamond Technology course.
In 1983, it became known as the Sutherland Diamond Award. A special silver medallion was awarded in perpetuity to the student gaining the highest marks in Australia in the Diploma of Diamond Technology course, providing that they attained a distinction.
Her involvement with the GAA continued late into her life; she contributed an enormous amount of time and effort to the organisation and served in various capacities at the divisional and federal levels.
Due to her immense contribution to the organisation, Sutherland was made an Honorary Life Member of the GAA in 1980.
Outside of the GAA, she was well-known in the gemstone trade. She returned to work at Affiliated Importers in the mid-1980s and in an article published in The Australian Gemmologist, was described as an 'institution' by friend and colleague Christine Diorietes: “People from all parts of the industry would seek her out for all sorts of advice.”
Her strong will and dedication opened educational pathways in gemmology to people outside the trade. Her contributions to the organisation made the GAA what it is today.
She was highly regarded by her peers and left a tremendous legacy.
The author would like to acknowledge the personal accounts of Christine Diorietes, Terry Coldham and Ronnie Bauer used in the preparation of this article.
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