Page 38 - Luce 2020

Obituaries

Barbara May Hamer (McPherson 1944) Arts Victoria, which initiated the taking the state in Commerce. Her father, James
22 January 1926 – 28 May 2020 of music, dance, drama and visual arts Walker, was an active supporter of her
programs to schools and communities taking up this scholarship, which was
all over the state. She was the Director most unusual at the time. She received a
When Barbara of the (national) Arts Council of Australia Bachelor of Commerce from Melbourne
McPherson from 1980-85 and Executive Officer University, going on to teach the subject
arrived at her for the Australian Society for Music in high schools, including Dimboola High
first day at Education 1975-78. School.
Melbourne
University In 1984 Barbara was elected to the She always described herself as a teacher.
in 1944, Convocation of the University of She went on to study a Bachelor of
the Student Melbourne and subsequently to the Divinity in the 1960s at Ormond College,
Representative University of Melbourne Council, teaching New Testament Greek at Ridley
Council sang ‘We’re Varsity students all where she was an elected Member until College for several years. She also met her
/ Judge Lowe he is our father / We know 1998. She served most of that time with husband, Ron White, at
how to smack a cricket ball / And we and under her undergraduate friend Fay that time.
love the ladies. Rather!’ These were not Marles (Pearce 1944).
sentiments, she said, ‘that rang any sort Her daughter, Rachel, has gone on to be a
of bell with rows of budding feminists’ In addition to all this activity, she owned successful Chief Financial Officer of high
who were emerging from a World War a sheep farm, raised three children and growth technology companies, built on a
where women’s responsibilities had was wife to a Federal politician, Senator foundation of education highly valued by
expanded hugely. David Hamer. Mary, along with an inherited aptitude for
accountancy.
Her very first (and memorable) ‘I found the role of a politician’s wife
University lecture in politics was given ambiguous at this time. The assumption Mary and Ron had two children, Brian
by a young Manning Clark – it was, in that one shared exactly the same views and Rachel. One of their favourite stories
fact, his own first lecture. As a non- as one’s spouse about everything was is that several of Mary’s College friends
resident student of Janet Clarke Hall she daunting, and when added to the fear went by ship to England in 1953 to
and other freshers were invited to listen that any opinions I might have aired celebrate the Queen’s coronation. Many
to recordings of Beethoven symphonies could have repercussions for David, I of these girls came from wealthy and
in the Trinity Warden’s study once a found it so terrifying that I lost my voice influential families in Melbourne. As a
week at lunchtime – a rare opportunity. for some time,’ explained Barbara. scholarship girl, Mary never felt the class
‘divide’, but this influential time in her life
Barbara saw it as her responsibility, as Having regained her voice, she later certainly shaped her view that no amount
a child of privilege, to work to improve published two personal memoirs and a of wealth could guarantee happiness.
life for the whole community. She history of her family’s firm, McPherson’s
graduated from Melbourne University Ltd, titled Nuts and Bolts. Her fondness for the College extended to
in 1948 from the first combined course both the scholarship and friendships she
in Arts and Social Studies (BA, Diploma In her own words: ‘I can no longer experienced there, which influenced her
Social Studies) and practised as a throw my hat into the ring to be one of all her life. It is a great privilege to be able
Medical Social Worker in Melbourne the problem-solvers. In my day and in to share her story with the Janet Clarke
and London. After marrying in 1955 my way I have tried to do what I could.’ Hall community.
she continued as a Member of the
Australian Association of Social Workers, Fiona Hamer (Barbara’s daughter) Rachel White
President of the ACT Community Aid
Abroad 1965-68, Southern Family Life
Community Health Centre 1976-81 and Mary Margaret White (Walker 1952) Helen Mary Lee (Purnell 1943)
Moreland Hall for Alcohol and Drug 29 May 1933 – 23 December 2020 6 July 1925 – 5 November 2019
Dependency 1990. When she was made
a Dame of the Order of St Lazarus which Mary was a My mother was
raises funds for the needy, she was student in born on 6 July
already into her eighties. residence at 1925 to Ida
Janet Clarke Mary Purnell
Between 1977 and 1982 Barbara came Hall from (nee Grützner)
back to the University of Melbourne to 1952 to 1954, and Norman
upgrade her Diploma of Social Studies to a time she Robert Purnell,
a Bachelor of Social Work, graduating on remembered in the hospital
the same day as her son, Andrew Hamer with great next to their
(1979), an alumnus of Janet Clarke Hall. fondness all house, ‘Fairbrae’,
her life. at 89 Prospect
Throughout her life she was passionately Rd, Geelong.
interested in the Arts. She was a She was awarded a scholarship to attend
Foundation Member of the Arts Council Melbourne University after matriculating Mum’s mother, Ida, was a very strong
of Victoria, now known as Regional from Stawell High School and topping and independent woman. She was a

38 LUCE Number 19 2020