Sandy was born in Melbourne, Australia in 1949. Her primary and secondary education was at Methodist Ladies College and she graduated from Melbourne University with an Arts degree. She majored in psychology and with a degree in Social Work, practiced for seventeen years. Sandy’s area of specialization was family psychiatry and adoption. She lectured in the social work school at La Trobe University and played a leading role in the reform of adoption law in the state of Victoria, Australia. She also conducted a private counselling service for people with fertility problems. She became involved with the Jewish Museum of Australia when it was in its infancy in the late 1980s. Sandy became a member of the Museum’s Executive Committee and went on to serve as Chairman and then as President. Sandy served as a Director of the Foundation of the National Gallery of Australia 2007-2017.