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OBITU ARIES OBITU ARIES

responses connected with landscape and her family and 4.00am each morning to continue. Her encouraging comments It is no exaggeration to say that Fay was to have a long and very
Judith Deakin Harley (White 1948) friends. The inter-generational family holiday home, Ballara, and and suggestions attached to each student’s work would distinguished association with the University of Melbourne. As a
22 June 1929 – 11 October 2024 surrounding Point Lonsdale feature in many of her paintings. regularly be greater than the student’s contribution itself. This, standard bearer for women, she became a Fellow of Janet Clarke
She effectively painted one day a week for over 40 years. I might add, was all done with a full face of makeup, the hair Hall in 2002. By then she had had a 60-year connection with the
Judith was born in Melbourne coiffed into an enviable bouffant, a nattily knotted scarf about University as a student, staff member, Council Member (1984)
in 1929 to airman and Since 1997, she had eleven solo exhibitions, many of them at the the neck and the faint whiff of 4711 eau de cologne enhancing Deputy Chancellor (1986-2001) and Chancellor from 2001 to 2004.
politician Thomas White and Lyceum Club. Her last, in April 2024 at Four Eight Four Presents the pre-dawn atmosphere.
humanitarian war worker and in North Carlton, was opened by fellow nonagenarian Barry On completing her initial four-year course, she worked for the
philanthropist Vera White (née Jones AC. She had also participated in many group exhibitions Her dedication to the craft of teaching was so extensive Commonwealth Social Services Department in Queensland but
Deakin). In 1942 during the including at Deakin University and at the Das Boot Art Fair at that having taught almost exclusively at private schools, she on her marriage to Donald Marles in 1952 she was forced by
war Judith was evacuated as ACCA (Australian Centre of Contemporary Art). decided she’d better get a taste of the public system. She took law to resign. Within a short time, she had found work at the
a Melbourne Girls Grammar Judith was painting until the week before she died. In a life herself off to the kind of secondary school where you were University of Queensland in their Remedial Education Centre,
student to Marysville. It was that was built on an inherited sense of duty and obligation, she likely to return to the school car park at the end of the day to on a contract that allowed her to take a period of leave no
here that she developed crafted her own course through her writing, painting and above find a team of smoking youths leaning against your car, flush longer than twelve months. This she was later to interpret as the
a passion for painting and all through her friendships. Judith is survived by her three sons, with cash from the quick sale of the now missing wheels. We first maternity leave provision in a university contract.
drawing when the art teacher, their wives and seven grandchildren. were convinced she’d be eaten alive. But, typically, the youths The Marles family returned to Victoria and Fay is kindly
Joy Booth, took the students out into the bush for plein-air from that particular school are over-represented in the queue of remembered during the following years as the wife of a
painting and drawing. David Harley those lining up to sing her praises. housemaster at Geelong Grammar School whilst she reared their
Son Far from being a stuffy school Ma’am, Judy was a party girl too.
After matriculating in 1947, she attended the University of She loved a social occasion. She would work the room like no four children. Simultaneously she completed a Master of Arts in
Melbourne, and was a non-resident at Janet Clarke Hall, where History as one of the early mature aged students at Melbourne
her eldest sister Lillian Bennett (White 1944) had earlier other, making sure people were comfortable, drawing people University and in 1975 rejoined the workforce full-time as a tutor
together. With a glass of Chardonnay in hand, she would make
been a resident. Judith attained a BA in History and Philosophy Judy Gregory (1947) in the Arts Faculty and later a lecturer in social work.
but withdrew from Law to accompany her parents to live in 17 December 1929 – 27 October 2024 it her business to know yours, absolutely invested in every However, it was her advocacy for women that saw her energy
detail she’d delightfully glean from you. She’d perhaps meet
London, where her father had been appointed Australian and determination fully utilised. To quote the Victorian Premier,
High Commissioner to the UK, and where she also became her There’s a hangover cure you once but would never, ever forget your name, or your story. Hon. Jacinta Allen MP, ‘Over the course of her 98 years she
mother’s honorary secretary. known as a ‘Prairie Oyster’. Judy was equally at home on the lawn at Government House, helped to lead a transformation that means, today, Victorian
Judith flourished in London and was privileged to attend many The ingredients are basically where our father was ADC to the Governor, as she was girls can now dream big’.
backstage in the dank band room of some pungent rock venue,
official ceremonies and to come to know many of the leading a dollop of tomato sauce, a handbag draped across the wrist, leaving sweaty musicians In 1977 Fay was appointed Victoria’s first Commissioner of Equal
figures. Like her father she had a natural gift with people. dash of Worcestershire, a wee convinced they’d just had an audience with the Queen. Opportunity and in this role, for the next ten years, she launched
Prince Phillip once quipped ‘not you again’ on seeing Judith snifter of vinegar, and a whole, an extensive community awareness campaign on discrimination
at yet another function! Stoke Lodge, the official residence, raw egg, cracked carefully into Even in her recent dwindling days, we’d visit her at Peninsula and became a household name. She resigned the position in
and Australia House were used relentlessly by the Whites to a glass so as not to break the Grange and there she would be in her favourite chair, back 1986 to establish her own consulting firm specialising in equal
promote and support young Australian talent in the arts, with yolk. Judy used to drink them straight as a rod, making sure we were formally introduced to opportunity and anti-discrimination, but she maintained a close
concerts, introductions, and a warm meal. Judith thrived in this regularly. She’d toss this vile whomever of the wonderful staff would appear to check on relationship with Moyra Rayner, her successor.
milieu. Her mother was a cellist and Judith a pianist. slippery concoction down, her. And she was always so polite. Although a more formidable
not to relieve the ache of a intellect you’d struggle to find, she’d never presume to pull you In 1986 her work was recognised with the award of the Order of
Judith had met Geoffrey Harley, a medical student, before hangover (which I don’t believe she ever experienced), but in up on your inaccuracies, but you’d somehow walk away with Australia for her public service, particularly in the field of social
she left Australia, and they kept up a long-distance romance. order to lubricate the voice before wandering about the house the real facts occurring to you because of the way she’d gently welfare. Her energy and influence certainly did not diminish
After Geoff’s completion of his final exams he travelled on an setting the windows rattling with a soaring high C. turned the conversation. as the years passed. She continued to serve a very wide range
RAF mail plane to London and they were married in the Henry of organisations including, to name just a few, Deputy Chair
VII Chapel at Westminster Abbey on 29 December 1954. They As anyone fortunate enough to have been in the audience of a Our mother was a saint, and we are thoroughly convinced she’s of State Trustees, the Boards of the Accident Compensation
returned to Australia, honeymooning on the ship. Peninsula Light Operatic Society performance would know, the up there now, elegant as ever, standing side by side with that Commission, the Mental Health Research Institute, the
pre-show ‘Prairie Oyster’ guaranteed that Gilbert and Sullivan’s other saint, introducing new arrivals, putting each at ease and Victorian Equal Opportunity Commission, the Alfred Hospital
Back in Melbourne, whilst raising three boys, Judith worked for Josephine, as played by Judy, had ‘em howling for more. ensuring they are welcomed to the next stage with a reassuring
a period at ASIO and, like her mother, served on the committees smile and a gentle, guiding hand through a calming whiff of 4711. (President 1992-94). A member of the Council of University of
of various causes, including the Women’s Committee of the Every endeavour of Judy’s was approached with such Melbourne for 21 years, she authored the University’s first Equal
National Trust, VISCA (The Victorian Society for Crippled complete preparation, dedication, intelligence, interest and David Reyne Opportunity Policy. She also chaired a range of committees and
Children and Adults), the Queen’s Fund and the ANZAC charm that her children (James, Elizabeth and I) – some of Son was on the Council of Medley Hall for well over a decade.
Fellowship of Women. Judith also continued her strong interest us having perhaps unwisely charted a course in the public Another JCH Fellow, Professor Gillian Triggs, was on a University
in Australian history through public speaking engagements, eye – would often discover that the wide eyed, eager young Dr Fay Marles AM (Pearce 1944) committee chaired by Fay Marles. She expressed her admiration
writing occasionally for history journals, and working regularly lady approaching the table in a restaurant was not there to 3 January 1926 – 1 November 2024 for Fay: ‘I found her to be an excellent leader, listening to all views
as a volunteer at the Royal Historical Society of Victoria. seek an autograph or bask in a pop or tv star’s radiance, but to and suggesting a way forward. She was kind and empathetic but
practically fall at Judy’s feet, delighted to see the teacher who
As well as being the loving centre of an extended family, Judith had absolutely changed her life. Fay was born in Melbourne and steely in her resolve, liberal in the best sense of the word.’
had a great capacity for providing supportive friendship, as died aged 98 after a remarkable In honour of her dedication to human rights, the prestigious
many of her fellow Lyceum Club members would attest. Her Dux at school. Honours student at university. Masters life of service to her community, annual Chancellor’s Human Right’s Lecture was established
grandmother Pattie Deakin had been the Club’s founding graduate… not once but twice. Judy not only knew the especially to women. in 2001, she received a Centenary Medal in 2003 and, on her
President and Judith enthusiastically participated in the History importance of a good education but was determined that After secondary schooling retirement as Chancellor in 2004, a scholarship for Indigenous
and Writing circles and became an honorary life member. every student to cross her path would realise the benefits as students was funded by the University in her name. Fay Marles
well. Consequently, she set about instilling in her students a joy at Ruyton, she entered the
When her last son was in the final throws of secondary school of learning, making it personally relevant to every individual University of Melbourne and was a forceful leader and a fearless champion for the causes
in the late 1970s, Judith took up her art again, initially through fortunate enough to have been taught by her. became a non-resident student in which she so strongly believed: human rights and equal
attending workshops run by Pat Shannon and later Frank at Janet Clarke Hall while she opportunity for all.
Werther, then with Jenny Darling and Alex Zubryn and for Such was her devotion to her students she’d be at her desk at undertook her combined
over a decade with Dawn Csutoros. Judith’s paintings express home, poring over essays and exams, red biro in hand, marking course of Bachelor of Arts and Penelope Lewisohn (Weatherly 1964)
an energy and joy of life that are driven by her emotional and correcting until midnight each night, only to rise again at Diploma of Social Studies, majoring in History. JCH Fellow
42 L u ce Number 23 2024 Janet Clar ke Hall 43