Image: Fay Marles (supplied)
Fay Marles AM, a pioneering feminist and social justice advocate, passed away on 1 November at the age of 98.
Fay was appointed as Victoria’s first Equal Opportunity Commissioner, a role she held from 1977 to 1987. A proud defender of women’s rights in the workplace, Fay famously took on aspiring pilot Deborah Lawrie’s case against Ansett Airlines, who tried to block Lawrie’s admission into their pilot program on the basis of gender, despite her excellent flying credentials. Fay’s advocacy won the day, proving Lawrie had a clear right to enter the aviation profession. Years of inspiring advocacy followed. From 2001-2004, Fay served as the University of Melbourne’s 18th Chancellor, the first woman to hold the position.
Fay Marles was a devoted mother to Vic, Jen, Liz, and Richard, and a grandmother to eight. Her magnificent personal, professional and public life is acknowledged and celebrated through our Fay Marles Equal Opportunity Sub-Fund, established in 2013 as part of the Victorian Women’s Trust Benevolent Trust. To celebrate the launch of the fund, then Attorney-General Nicola Roxon delivered an Oration at the Wheeler Centre honouring Fay’s myriad contributions to our community.
The Fay Marles Equal Opportunity Sub-Fund provides support to community groups and individuals in three key areas:
- Leadership training to increase young women’s working knowledge of equal opportunity legislation, structures and processes;
- Research regarding loopholes and gaps in equal opportunity legislation; and
- Education and engagement on equal opportunity issues in workplaces, organisations and the broader community.
Through this dedicated grantmaking fund, Fay’s commitment to equality and inclusion will continue to empower future generations. We pay tribute to a great person and to Fay’s inspirational life and work.
A memorial service for Fay Marles will be held at Wilson Hall, University of Melbourne, Parkville on 11am, Friday 29 November. This event will be live streamed, details to come. If you would like to attend this service in person, please register.