She was born in Ashfield and attended Sydney Church of England Girls' Grammar School as a boarder.
In 1911 she travelled abroad for the coronation of King George V. She was governor of the Sydney Hospital.
[2] The Australian Women's Weekly published an article, in 1970, entitled "The Quiet Millionairess" that claimed Vera was "Australia's least-known millionairess" and "possibly the most private woman in Australia", adding that she "physically shrinks from seeing her name in print".
The idea came after she was asked to contribute to the Walter and Eliza Hall Foundation in Melbourne.
A Scientific Advisory Committee advises Perpetual on the grants to be awarded each year.