Merlyn Myer
Encyclopedia
Dame
Margery Merlyn Baillieu Myer DBE (8 January 19003 September 1982), best known as Merlyn Myer, was an Australia
n philanthropist, who was knighted in recognition of her charitable work.
Born as Margery Merlyn Baillieu in Queenscliff, Victoria
, Australia
, to George Francis Baillieu and Agnes Sheehan, a well-to-do couple, she attended Cromarty Girls' School, and the University of Melbourne
.
On her 20th birthday, on 8 January 1920, she became the second wife of Melbourne retail businessman Sidney Myer
, who was originally named Simcha Baevski who arrived in Australia as a penniless Russian immigrant in 1899. He was a businessman and entrepreneur, who founded the Myer
retail company.
Merlyn had four children with Sidney: Kenneth (Ken) born on 1 March 1921, Neilma born on 7 November 1922, Sidney Baillieu (Bails) born on 11 January 1926, and Marigold Merlyn Baillieu Myer (Marigold) born on 2 May 1928. All the children were born in San Francisco, California, United States. The family returned to settle in Australia in 1929. Sidney Myer died in 1934, leaving Merlyn a widow of 34 with four young children.
At the time of his death Sidney was a member of the Board of Management for the Royal Melbourne Hospital
and after his death Merlyn was asked to join the Board, on which she continued until 1976. She gave a lot of her time to the hospital. For 10 years from 1937, she was a member of the National Council of the Australia
n Red Cross Society. Merlyn was a generous benefactor of the Red Cross. She was the motivation for the establishment of the Sidney Myer Music Bowl
, in 1959, as a gift to the people of Victoria. The Melbourne Symphony Orchestra
was founded with a grant given by the Myers to the University of Melbourne.
In 1948, she was awarded an OBE and on 11 June 1960, Merlyn Myer was awarded the Order of the British Empire
- Dames Commander in recognition of her charitable work. Her title name became Dame Merlyn.
The Merlyn Theatre at the Malthouse Theatre complex in Melbourne was named in her honour to mark the generosity of the Sidney Myer Fund, The Myer Foundation
and the individual members of the Myer family who supported the conversion of the Malthouse Theatre. The Myers' four children, including Ken Myer
, have continued their parents' philanthropic work.
. On Australia Day
1976 he was appointed a Companion of the Order of Australia
(AC). Ken and Prudence were divorced in 1976, and in 1979 he married Yasuko Hiraoka (16 March 1945 - 30 July 1992). He and Yasuko were killed in a light aircraft crash in Alaska
on 30 July 1992. One of Ken's sons, Martyn, has been a Coles Myer director since 1996.
Neilma (later Neilma Gantner) was born on 7 November 1922. In 8 August 1941, she married Vallejo Gantner in Toorak, Melbourne (1911–1996) (later divorced) and they had two sons: Carrillo Gantner
and Vallejo. Vallejo jnr died in a shooting accident in 1962 http://www.adm.monash.edu/scholarships/opportunities/vallejo-gantner.html at the age of 19. Along with her son Carillo and brother Baillieu Myer, she established The Gantner Myer Collection of Australian Aboriginal Art, which was assembled over a four-year period by curator Jennifer Isaacs. The collection was unveiled in San Francisco in September 1999. Neilma Gantner was a member of the Executive of International Social Service, and of the Myer Foundation
and the Sidney Myer Fund. She worked as a novelist, poet and short story writer under the pseudonym of Neilma Sidney, and founded the Four Winds Cultural Festival (Bermagui, New South Wales).
Sidney Baillieu (Bails) was born on 11 January 1926. He married Sarah Horden, and they have three children — Sidney, Samantha and Rupert. Bails is a co-founder and past president of the Myer Foundation. He was a Trustee of the Sidney Myer Fund from 1958 to 2001 and Chairman from 1992-2001. He was chairman of The Myer Emporium Ltd, president of the Howard Florey Institute and Executive Member of the CSIRO. His career has spanned the fields of business, medical research, aged care, Australia-Asian relations, the arts, conservation, education and rural communities. His commitments and appointments, past and present, include: Patron of Asialink, Patron of the Foundation for Rural & Regional Renewal, Trustee Emeritus, National Gallery of Victoria, Director of the Howard Florey Institute, 1971–2002, and President, 1988–1992, Chairman, The Myer Emporium Ltd, 1978–1986, Executive Member, CSIRO, 1981-1985. On Australia Day
1990, Sidney Baillieu was appointed a Companion of the Order of Australia
(AC) for service to business and commerce, to government and to the community. He was made an Honorary Doctor of Law, University of Melbourne, in 1993. Rupert is deputy chairman of the Myer Family Company and a leading figure in the local arts community.
Their youngest child was Marigold Merlyn Baillieu Myer (Marigold), born on 2 May 1928. In 1950, Marigold Myer married Ross Shelmerdine and they had four children. Ross died in 1979. On 22 July 1982, she married Sir Robert Southey, who died in 1998. On 7 June 1999, she became a Member of the Order of Australia
(AM) for her service to the community in the support of health care, medical research and the arts. Lady Marigold Southey was Lieutenant-Governor of Victoria 2001-2006. She was president of Philanthropy Australia 2000-2006 and the St Catherine's School Foundation. She resigned as president of the Myer Foundation in 2004. Lady Southey is a supporter and Honorary Life Member of the Australian Ballet, Life Member of the Nuffield Farming Scholars Association, and a supporter of Birds Australia. One of her children, Stephen Shelmerdine, is a winemaker.
Order of the British Empire
The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire is an order of chivalry established on 4 June 1917 by George V of the United Kingdom. The Order comprises five classes in civil and military divisions...
Margery Merlyn Baillieu Myer DBE (8 January 19003 September 1982), best known as Merlyn Myer, was an Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
n philanthropist, who was knighted in recognition of her charitable work.
Born as Margery Merlyn Baillieu in Queenscliff, Victoria
Queenscliff, Victoria
Queenscliff is a small town on the Bellarine Peninsula in southern Victoria, Australia, south of Swan Bay at the entrance to Port Phillip. It is the administrative centre for the Borough of Queenscliffe...
, Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
, to George Francis Baillieu and Agnes Sheehan, a well-to-do couple, she attended Cromarty Girls' School, and the University of Melbourne
University of Melbourne
The University of Melbourne is a public university located in Melbourne, Victoria. Founded in 1853, it is the second oldest university in Australia and the oldest in Victoria...
.
On her 20th birthday, on 8 January 1920, she became the second wife of Melbourne retail businessman Sidney Myer
Sidney Myer
Sidney Baevski Myer was a Russian Australian businessman and philanthropist, best known for creating Myer, Australia's largest chain of department stores.-Early life:...
, who was originally named Simcha Baevski who arrived in Australia as a penniless Russian immigrant in 1899. He was a businessman and entrepreneur, who founded the Myer
Myer
Myer is Australia's largest department store chain, retailing a broad range of merchandise including women's, men's and children's clothing, footwear and accessories; cosmetics and fragrance; homewares; electrical; furniture and bedding; toys; books and stationery; food and confectionery; and...
retail company.
Merlyn had four children with Sidney: Kenneth (Ken) born on 1 March 1921, Neilma born on 7 November 1922, Sidney Baillieu (Bails) born on 11 January 1926, and Marigold Merlyn Baillieu Myer (Marigold) born on 2 May 1928. All the children were born in San Francisco, California, United States. The family returned to settle in Australia in 1929. Sidney Myer died in 1934, leaving Merlyn a widow of 34 with four young children.
At the time of his death Sidney was a member of the Board of Management for the Royal Melbourne Hospital
Royal Melbourne Hospital
The Royal Melbourne Hospital , located in Parkville, Victoria an inner suburb of Melbourne is one of Australia’s leading public hospitals. It is a major teaching hospital for tertiary health care with a reputation in clinical research...
and after his death Merlyn was asked to join the Board, on which she continued until 1976. She gave a lot of her time to the hospital. For 10 years from 1937, she was a member of the National Council of the Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
n Red Cross Society. Merlyn was a generous benefactor of the Red Cross. She was the motivation for the establishment of the Sidney Myer Music Bowl
Sidney Myer Music Bowl
The Sidney Myer Music Bowl is an outdoor performance venue in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. It is located in the lawns and gardens of Kings Domain, close to the Arts Centre and the Southbank entertainment precinct...
, in 1959, as a gift to the people of Victoria. The Melbourne Symphony Orchestra
Melbourne Symphony Orchestra
The Melbourne Symphony Orchestra is an orchestra based in Melbourne, Australia. It has 100 permanent musicians. Melbourne has the longest continuous history of orchestral music of any Australian city and the MSO is the oldest professional orchestra in Australia...
was founded with a grant given by the Myers to the University of Melbourne.
In 1948, she was awarded an OBE and on 11 June 1960, Merlyn Myer was awarded the Order of the British Empire
Order of the British Empire
The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire is an order of chivalry established on 4 June 1917 by George V of the United Kingdom. The Order comprises five classes in civil and military divisions...
- Dames Commander in recognition of her charitable work. Her title name became Dame Merlyn.
The Merlyn Theatre at the Malthouse Theatre complex in Melbourne was named in her honour to mark the generosity of the Sidney Myer Fund, The Myer Foundation
Myer Foundation
The Myer Foundation is a major Australian philanthropic organisation.The Sidney Myer Charitable Trust was established by the will of Sidney Myer who died in 1934 leaving one tenth of his estate for the benefit of the community. Myer's will was proved at £922,000...
and the individual members of the Myer family who supported the conversion of the Malthouse Theatre. The Myers' four children, including Ken Myer
Ken Myer
Kenneth Baillieu Myer AC DSC was an American-born Australian patron of the arts, humanities and sciences; diplomat; administrator; businessman; and philanthropist...
, have continued their parents' philanthropic work.
Myer Family
Kenneth (Ken) was born on 1 March 1921. In 1947 Ken married Prudence Boyd and they had five children: Joanna, Michael, Philip, Martyn and Andrew. Together with his brother, Bails, he co-founded the Myer FoundationMyer Foundation
The Myer Foundation is a major Australian philanthropic organisation.The Sidney Myer Charitable Trust was established by the will of Sidney Myer who died in 1934 leaving one tenth of his estate for the benefit of the community. Myer's will was proved at £922,000...
. On Australia Day
Australia Day
Australia Day is the official national day of Australia...
1976 he was appointed a Companion of the Order of Australia
Order of Australia
The Order of Australia is an order of chivalry established on 14 February 1975 by Elizabeth II, Queen of Australia, "for the purpose of according recognition to Australian citizens and other persons for achievement or for meritorious service"...
(AC). Ken and Prudence were divorced in 1976, and in 1979 he married Yasuko Hiraoka (16 March 1945 - 30 July 1992). He and Yasuko were killed in a light aircraft crash in Alaska
Alaska
Alaska is the largest state in the United States by area. It is situated in the northwest extremity of the North American continent, with Canada to the east, the Arctic Ocean to the north, and the Pacific Ocean to the west and south, with Russia further west across the Bering Strait...
on 30 July 1992. One of Ken's sons, Martyn, has been a Coles Myer director since 1996.
Neilma (later Neilma Gantner) was born on 7 November 1922. In 8 August 1941, she married Vallejo Gantner in Toorak, Melbourne (1911–1996) (later divorced) and they had two sons: Carrillo Gantner
Carrillo Gantner
Carrillo Gantner AO is a highly respected Victorian cultural leader and philanthropist. He was born in San Francisco, California, in 1943, the son of Neilma Gantner with Villajo Gantner, and grand-son of Merlyn and Sidney Myer, founder of the Myer retail chain. His most well known achievement lies...
and Vallejo. Vallejo jnr died in a shooting accident in 1962 http://www.adm.monash.edu/scholarships/opportunities/vallejo-gantner.html at the age of 19. Along with her son Carillo and brother Baillieu Myer, she established The Gantner Myer Collection of Australian Aboriginal Art, which was assembled over a four-year period by curator Jennifer Isaacs. The collection was unveiled in San Francisco in September 1999. Neilma Gantner was a member of the Executive of International Social Service, and of the Myer Foundation
Myer Foundation
The Myer Foundation is a major Australian philanthropic organisation.The Sidney Myer Charitable Trust was established by the will of Sidney Myer who died in 1934 leaving one tenth of his estate for the benefit of the community. Myer's will was proved at £922,000...
and the Sidney Myer Fund. She worked as a novelist, poet and short story writer under the pseudonym of Neilma Sidney, and founded the Four Winds Cultural Festival (Bermagui, New South Wales).
Sidney Baillieu (Bails) was born on 11 January 1926. He married Sarah Horden, and they have three children — Sidney, Samantha and Rupert. Bails is a co-founder and past president of the Myer Foundation. He was a Trustee of the Sidney Myer Fund from 1958 to 2001 and Chairman from 1992-2001. He was chairman of The Myer Emporium Ltd, president of the Howard Florey Institute and Executive Member of the CSIRO. His career has spanned the fields of business, medical research, aged care, Australia-Asian relations, the arts, conservation, education and rural communities. His commitments and appointments, past and present, include: Patron of Asialink, Patron of the Foundation for Rural & Regional Renewal, Trustee Emeritus, National Gallery of Victoria, Director of the Howard Florey Institute, 1971–2002, and President, 1988–1992, Chairman, The Myer Emporium Ltd, 1978–1986, Executive Member, CSIRO, 1981-1985. On Australia Day
Australia Day
Australia Day is the official national day of Australia...
1990, Sidney Baillieu was appointed a Companion of the Order of Australia
Order of Australia
The Order of Australia is an order of chivalry established on 14 February 1975 by Elizabeth II, Queen of Australia, "for the purpose of according recognition to Australian citizens and other persons for achievement or for meritorious service"...
(AC) for service to business and commerce, to government and to the community. He was made an Honorary Doctor of Law, University of Melbourne, in 1993. Rupert is deputy chairman of the Myer Family Company and a leading figure in the local arts community.
Their youngest child was Marigold Merlyn Baillieu Myer (Marigold), born on 2 May 1928. In 1950, Marigold Myer married Ross Shelmerdine and they had four children. Ross died in 1979. On 22 July 1982, she married Sir Robert Southey, who died in 1998. On 7 June 1999, she became a Member of the Order of Australia
Order of Australia
The Order of Australia is an order of chivalry established on 14 February 1975 by Elizabeth II, Queen of Australia, "for the purpose of according recognition to Australian citizens and other persons for achievement or for meritorious service"...
(AM) for her service to the community in the support of health care, medical research and the arts. Lady Marigold Southey was Lieutenant-Governor of Victoria 2001-2006. She was president of Philanthropy Australia 2000-2006 and the St Catherine's School Foundation. She resigned as president of the Myer Foundation in 2004. Lady Southey is a supporter and Honorary Life Member of the Australian Ballet, Life Member of the Nuffield Farming Scholars Association, and a supporter of Birds Australia. One of her children, Stephen Shelmerdine, is a winemaker.
