Vale Fay Marles AM

With the wishes of her family, The University of Melbourne has the sad duty to announce the death of Fay Marles AM.

Fay passed away yesterday evening in Melbourne with her children having spent the day beside her.

Fay Marles was a leading feminist in Victoria and a fierce advocate for the right of women to take their place in Australia’s workforce.

Fay Marles was the 18th Chancellor of the University of Melbourne serving between 2001 and 2004 and the first woman to serve in that role.

Her retirement brought to an end a 60 year association with the University which began with her undergraduate studies in 1944. She graduated with a Bachelor of Arts and a Diploma in Social Studies in 1948. 22 years later she returned to the University of Melbourne to undertake a Masters of Arts in history which she completed in 1975.

For two years she was on the University staff as a lecturer.

In November of 1977, Fay was appointed Victoria’s first Equal Opportunity Commissioner, a position she held until 1986. As the first person to occupy the office, she pioneered and defined it. During the 70s and 80s she changed the face of Victorian workplaces and their accessibility for women.

Fay joined the University Council in 1984. In 1986, she became the University’s first female Deputy Chancellor before becoming Chancellor in 2001.

Through her consultancy - Fay Marles and Associates - Fay performed groundbreaking work including leading the Study into Professional Issues in Nursing for the Victorian Government following the 1986 Nurses Strike, and the Social Impact Assessment Panel for Melbourne’s 1996 Olympic bid.

Fay served as the President of the Alfred Hospital between 1992 and 1994.

In 1986, Fay was made a Member of the Order of Australia.

In 1951, Fay married Don Marles OAM, a partnership which lasted 66 years until Don’s death in 2017.

Fay is survived by her four children Victoria, Jennifer, Elizabeth and Richard.

Fay will be deeply missed by the University community and the very many people whose lives she touched.

Vale Fay Marles AM.

On 29 November 2024, The University of Melbourne hosted a memorial service to honour and celebrate the life of Fay Marles AM. You can watch it  here.