Ken Myer
Kenneth Baillieu Myer | |
|---|---|
| Born | Template:Birth date San Francisco, California, U.S. |
| Died | July 30, 1992 (aged 71) Alaska, U.S. |
| Occupation(s) | Businessman, philanthropist, administrator |
| Years active | 1948–1992 |
| Known for | Chairman of the Australian Broadcasting Corporation; founder of The Myer Foundation; key figure in Myer retailing family |
Kenneth Baillieu Myer, (1 March 1921 – 30 July 1992), was a businessman, philanthropist, and administrator of Australian nationality, originally born in the United States. As a key figure within the distinguished Melbourne retailing Myer family, he played a pivotal role in supporting major national institutions including the Howard Florey Laboratories of Experimental Physiology and Medicine, the School of Oriental Studies at the University of Melbourne, the Victorian Arts Centre, and the National Library of Australia. In 1959, together with his brother Baillieu Myer AC, he established The Myer Foundation. Additionally, he was the inaugural chairman of the Australian Broadcasting Corporation.
Early life and Second World War
Born in San Francisco, California, in 1921, Ken Myer was the eldest son of Sidney Myer, who had emigrated from Russia to Australia before relocating to the United States. To ensure their children were legally recognized under Australian law, his mother, later Dame Merlyn Myer, chose to have all four offspring born in San Francisco. The family returned to Australia in 1929. Ken received his education at Geelong Grammar School, where he distinguished himself in music, arts, and languages. Following his father's passing in 1934, he briefly studied at Trinity College, Melbourne and gained acceptance to the University of Oxford. However, the outbreak of the Second World War prevented him from attending Oxford. Instead, he spent a year studying at Princeton University before enlisting in the Royal Australian Navy (RAN).
In 1943, Myer was seconded to serve with the Royal Navy, achieving the rank of lieutenant. On 15 August 1944, he was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross for his involvement in an assault on the Japanese submarine Ro-33 near Port Moresby. That same year, he was also mentioned in despatches. Subsequently, he served with occupation forces stationed in Shanghai, Hong Kong, and Tokyo.
Career
Myer joined the board of the Myer Emporium in 1948 and remained involved until 1985. His roles included Deputy Chairman and Managing Director from 1960 to 1966, Chairman from 1966 to 1976, and Non-Executive Director between 1976 and 1985. He also held a directorship at Coles Myer Ltd from 1985 through 1989.
Alongside his siblings, he played an instrumental role in founding the Sidney Myer Music Bowl in 1959, which was then gifted to Victoria and Australia. He advocated for infrastructure projects such as freeways and shopping centres and contributed significantly to developing Melbourne's Chadstone Shopping Centre.
Politically, Myer made a notable statement by openly endorsing the Australian Labor Party under leader Gough Whitlam during the 1972 federal election campaign. In recognition of this support, Whitlam's administration offered him the role of Governor-General in 1974; however, he declined this appointment.
His extensive leadership positions encompassed:
- Honorary Secretary of the National Gallery Society of Victoria (1948–1953)
- President of the Town and Country Planning Association of Victoria (1953–1958)
- Chairman of the Victorian Arts Centre Building Committee (1965–1980)
- Founding member and subsequently Chairman (1974–1982) of the Council of the National Library of Australia
- Member of the Australian Universities Commission (1962–1965)
- Chairman of the Victorian Arts Centre (1965–1989)
- Director of the National Retail Merchants Association (USA) (1969–1979)
- President of the Board for Howard Florey Institute (1971–1992)
- Participant in Australia's inaugural trade mission to China (1973)
- Founding Chairman of the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (1983–1986), a tenure that ended prematurely amid controversy
Myer also promoted scientific research by supporting CSIRO's Division of Plant Industry and made substantial contributions to Australia's collection of Japanese art. At his passing in 1992, he was regarded as Australia's leading collector in this field.
Honours and awards
In 1970, Myer was honored with the International Retailers Award. He was designated a Companion of the Order of Australia (AC) on Australia Day in 1976.
The Australian Libraries and Information Association presented Myer with the Redmond Barry Award in 1989, recognizing his exceptional dedication to advancing libraries and the field of librarianship.
In April 1992, Myer gained election to the Fellowship of the Australian Academy of Science through a special clause acknowledging his notable impact on scientific endeavors.
Kenneth Myer Lecture
Since its inception in 1990 by the Friends of the National Library of Australia, the annual Kenneth Myer Lecture has showcased distinguished speakers including Gough Whitlam, H. C. Coombs, Sir Gustav Nossal, Professor Peter C. Doherty, Fiona Stanley, Tim Costello, Geoffrey Robertson, Michelle Grattan, Professor Tim Flannery, and Professor Megan Davis.
Kenneth Myer Medallion for the Performing Arts
From 1991 until 2010, the Kenneth Myer Medallion was bestowed by Arts Centre Melbourne to honor outstanding achievements in performing arts. Among its recipients were inaugural winner Clifford Hocking (1991); Liz Jones (1994/95); playwrights Jenny Kemp and Daniel Keene (1998); Shirley McKechnie and John Romeril; actor Malcolm Robertson alongside producer Mary Kenneally (2000); actor and educator John Bolton (2002); musician Bob Sedergreen (2006); choreographer Helen Herbertson (2007); as well as theatre practitioner and teacher Robert Draffin (2010).
Personal life
Myer wed Prudence Boyd (1925–2005) in 1947, with whom he fathered five children: Joanna, Michael, Philip, Martyn, and Andrew. Their marriage ended in divorce in 1977. Two years later, in 1979, he married Yasuko Hiraoka (1945–1992). Tragically, on 30 July 1992, Myer, Yasuko, and three others lost their lives in a small aircraft accident in Alaska.
Martyn Myer holds the position of Life Governor at the Myer Foundation. Andrew Myer works as a property developer and film producer; he currently chairs the Sidney Myer Fund and previously served as Director and Co-Vice-President of The Myer Foundation. Joanna Baevsky is a psychologist; she, along with Michael and Andrew Myer, contributed to producing the 1988 film Radiance.