Marjorie Parker (DBE)
Encyclopedia
Dame Marjorie Parker, DBE
(died 18 February 1991) was an Australia
n civic and political activist who was created a Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire in 1977.
Beginning in 1961, she was president and organiser of the Launceston Red Cross Meals on Wheels for ten years. During this time, she was also Northern Regional President of the Australian Red Cross Society of Tasmania Division (1965–1968).
From 1964 to 1971, she joined the State Executive of the Tasmanian Division of the Miss Australia Quest. In 1964 she became State Executive and Public Relations Officer of the Tasmanian Good Neighbour Council, a post she held until 1970. From 1964 until 1968 Parker was also the vice-president of the United Nations
Association in Launceston.
The Society for the Care of Crippled Children made Parker a life member in 1973. She had been an executive member of the Society for many years. In 1974, Parker was made a life member of the National Council of Australian Women, of which she had been deputy chairperson from 1960 to 1964.
, Victoria League (Launceston) of which she was President from 1966 to 1969. She also belonged to the Soroptimist Club of Launceston, of which she was president in 1951; the Club awards the Dame Marjorie Parker Memorial Award each year.
in the New Year Honours List of 1977 for distinguished community service. She had been first honoured for her charitable work in Launceston, Tasmania
when appointed an MBE
in 1950 and promoted to OBE in the Birthday Honours List of 1970. The City of Launceston
granted her the "Freedom of the City" in 1984 – she was the first woman to be so honoured.
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...
(died 18 February 1991) 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 civic and political activist who was created a Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire in 1977.
Family life
Born in Ballarat as Marjorie Alice Collett Shoppee to Walter Collett Shoppee and Victoria Alice Tilley, she attended Ballarat State School. She married James Maxwell "Max" Parker on 12 June 1926; they had one child, a son, Alan.Career
From 1941 to 1969 she was an announcer and director of women's interests with 7EX Radio in Launceston. In 1954 Parker became the Public Relations Adviser for the Girl Guides Association, a position she held until 1968.Beginning in 1961, she was president and organiser of the Launceston Red Cross Meals on Wheels for ten years. During this time, she was also Northern Regional President of the Australian Red Cross Society of Tasmania Division (1965–1968).
From 1964 to 1971, she joined the State Executive of the Tasmanian Division of the Miss Australia Quest. In 1964 she became State Executive and Public Relations Officer of the Tasmanian Good Neighbour Council, a post she held until 1970. From 1964 until 1968 Parker was also the vice-president of the United Nations
United Nations
The United Nations is an international organization whose stated aims are facilitating cooperation in international law, international security, economic development, social progress, human rights, and achievement of world peace...
Association in Launceston.
The Society for the Care of Crippled Children made Parker a life member in 1973. She had been an executive member of the Society for many years. In 1974, Parker was made a life member of the National Council of Australian Women, of which she had been deputy chairperson from 1960 to 1964.
Affiliations
Dame Marjorie was a member of the Royal Commonwealth SocietyRoyal Commonwealth Society
The Royal Commonwealth Society is an international educational charity and a private members' club. Its mission is to support and promote the modern Commonwealth, its culture and core values...
, Victoria League (Launceston) of which she was President from 1966 to 1969. She also belonged to the Soroptimist Club of Launceston, of which she was president in 1951; the Club awards the Dame Marjorie Parker Memorial Award each year.
Awards/Honours
Marjorie Parker was appointed a DBEOrder 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...
in the New Year Honours List of 1977 for distinguished community service. She had been first honoured for her charitable work in Launceston, Tasmania
Launceston, Tasmania
Launceston is a city in the north of the state of Tasmania, Australia at the junction of the North Esk and South Esk rivers where they become the Tamar River. Launceston is the second largest city in Tasmania after the state capital Hobart...
when appointed an MBE
MBE
MBE can stand for:* Mail Boxes Etc.* Management by exception* Master of Bioethics* Master of Bioscience Enterprise* Master of Business Engineering* Master of Business Economics* Mean Biased Error...
in 1950 and promoted to OBE in the Birthday Honours List of 1970. The City of Launceston
Launceston, Tasmania
Launceston is a city in the north of the state of Tasmania, Australia at the junction of the North Esk and South Esk rivers where they become the Tamar River. Launceston is the second largest city in Tasmania after the state capital Hobart...
granted her the "Freedom of the City" in 1984 – she was the first woman to be so honoured.