Valmai Pidgeon
Encyclopedia
Florence Valmai Miller Pidgeon AM
is a leading figure in the Arts and the construction industry in Queensland
.
After completing her education in 1945, Florence joined her father's building construction business F.A. Pidgeon & Son Pty Ltd. which was founded in 1927. She was appointed Company Secretary in 1950 of the company, and a Director in 1957, Joint Managing Director with her brother, Sir John Pidgeon
, in 1980, and Managing Director in 1993. Under the joint stewardship, F.A. Pidgeon & Son Pty Ltd., grew into one of the largest privately owned construction companies in Queensland. Valmai Pidgeon has also established herself as a developer in her own right, through a range of projects in and around Brisbane - most recently, a major inner city high-rise residential development.
Of particular note has been her public profile as a supporter of landscape architecture through her own award-winning garden in her Holland Park home. She also supports many important groups including Opera Queensland, Opera Australia, Australian Ballet, Queensland Art Gallery, Royal Brisbane Hospital, St. John’s Cathedral, QUT’s Art Museum, Multiple Sclerosis and the State Library of Queensland.
Valmai Pidgeon is a Les Étoiles supporter of the Australian Ballet, which is a gathering of individuals who are amongst the most dedicated friends of the Australian Ballet.
School and university buildings have been named in her honour including the Valmai Pidgeon Performing Arts Centre at Somerville House
school, which was opened in her honour in the year 2000.
A special ceremony in 2005 hosted by the Queensland University of Technology
Chancellor, Major General Peter Arnison
AC, CVO and Vice-Chancellor, Professor Peter Coaldrake, was held at Old Government House
was held in honour of Valmai as she was conferred with the degree of Doctor of the University. "Miss Pidgeon was recognised for her outstanding contribution to the community and QUT through distinguished service to the construction industry, the arts, and the advancement of women. Miss Pidgeon has made a significant contribution to QUT over the past 20 years as a patron of the QUT Art Museum and Art Collection, and as a generous benefactor and vocal supporter."
Order of Australia
The Order of Australia is an order of chivalry established on 14 February 1975 by Elizabeth II, Queen of Australia, "for the purpose of according recognition to Australian citizens and other persons for achievement or for meritorious service"...
is a leading figure in the Arts and the construction industry in Queensland
Queensland
Queensland is a state of Australia, occupying the north-eastern section of the mainland continent. It is bordered by the Northern Territory, South Australia and New South Wales to the west, south-west and south respectively. To the east, Queensland is bordered by the Coral Sea and Pacific Ocean...
.
After completing her education in 1945, Florence joined her father's building construction business F.A. Pidgeon & Son Pty Ltd. which was founded in 1927. She was appointed Company Secretary in 1950 of the company, and a Director in 1957, Joint Managing Director with her brother, Sir John Pidgeon
John Pidgeon
Sir John Allen Stewart Pidgeon is a successful contractor and property developer, who have been along with his sister, Valmai Pidgeon, involved with the Queensland construction industry since joining their father's business in the 1940s....
, in 1980, and Managing Director in 1993. Under the joint stewardship, F.A. Pidgeon & Son Pty Ltd., grew into one of the largest privately owned construction companies in Queensland. Valmai Pidgeon has also established herself as a developer in her own right, through a range of projects in and around Brisbane - most recently, a major inner city high-rise residential development.
Of particular note has been her public profile as a supporter of landscape architecture through her own award-winning garden in her Holland Park home. She also supports many important groups including Opera Queensland, Opera Australia, Australian Ballet, Queensland Art Gallery, Royal Brisbane Hospital, St. John’s Cathedral, QUT’s Art Museum, Multiple Sclerosis and the State Library of Queensland.
Valmai Pidgeon is a Les Étoiles supporter of the Australian Ballet, which is a gathering of individuals who are amongst the most dedicated friends of the Australian Ballet.
Honours and awards
On 11 June 2001 Valmai was recognised with an AM for service to the arts in Queensland as a patron and benefactor, to women, particularly in the area of industrial democracy in the workplace, and to the community.School and university buildings have been named in her honour including the Valmai Pidgeon Performing Arts Centre at Somerville House
Somerville House
Somerville House is an independent, boarding and day school for girls, located in South Brisbane, an inner-city suburb of Brisbane, Queensland, Australia....
school, which was opened in her honour in the year 2000.
A special ceremony in 2005 hosted by the Queensland University of Technology
Queensland University of Technology
Queensland University of Technology is an Australian university with an applied emphasis in courses and research. Based in Brisbane, it has 40,000 students, including 6,000 international students, over 4,000 staff members, and an annual budget of more than A$750 million.QUT is marketed as "A...
Chancellor, Major General Peter Arnison
Peter Arnison
Major General Peter Maurice Arnison AC CVO, , was Governor of Queensland from July 1997 until July 2003. He graduated from the Royal Military College, Duntroon in 1962, and retired from the Australian Army in 1996...
AC, CVO and Vice-Chancellor, Professor Peter Coaldrake, was held at Old Government House
Old Government House, Queensland
Queensland's first Government House is located at Gardens Point in the grounds of the Queensland University of Technology at the end of George Street in Brisbane, Queensland, Australia...
was held in honour of Valmai as she was conferred with the degree of Doctor of the University. "Miss Pidgeon was recognised for her outstanding contribution to the community and QUT through distinguished service to the construction industry, the arts, and the advancement of women. Miss Pidgeon has made a significant contribution to QUT over the past 20 years as a patron of the QUT Art Museum and Art Collection, and as a generous benefactor and vocal supporter."