Pamela Warrender (Myer ’42) received the Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) in 2014 her for service to the community of Melbourne, and to the Arts.

In 1961, Pamela was appointed Chair of the Museum of Modern Art of Australia and in 1963, to raise the awareness of the value of our local artists, persuaded Qantas to exhibit Sidney Nolan’s Ned Kelly paintings in London, Paris and New York. While in New York, Pamela negotiated with the Museum of Modern Art to loan the first exhibition of American Modern Art to Australia, resulting in the Ten Decades of Modern Art going on display in 1967. Pamela remained as Custodian Chairman of the Museum of Modern Art and Design of Australia until 1983 when the title and Museum collection was formalised at Heide.

In 1972, Pamela wrote a biography about her father entitled Prince of Merchants: The story of Sir Norman Myer (Gold Star Publications).

After returning from London in the 1980s, she progressed her Arts administration and with Melbourne heading into recession in 1986 established an umbrella group of top decision makers to turn Melbourne around.
Initially as Convenor then as Director, she led the development of the Committee of Melbourne as a permanent institution drawing together leaders of the public, private and academic sectors to support the Melbourne vision. The Melbourne model is now copied from Sydney to St. Petersburg. In 1991, Pamela was appointed Honorary Life Member, and in 1997, was formally recognised as Founder.

Between 1996 and 2005 she embarked on compiling her memoir based on 60 years of diaries commenced in 1939. Pamela: in her own right, was published by Hardie Grant in 2007. Following publication Pamela was invited to speak at many Probus and other functions until 2014 when she retired from public speaking.

Married to The Honourable Simon George Warrender, Pamela raised her family in Melbourne. Pamela is currently a Director of the Melbourne Prize and Melbourne Prize Trust. To this day, Pamela continues her tireless campaign to promote Australian culture and charitable life.

November 2015