Companion of CQU (2013),
Associate of The Trinity College of Music - Teachers Diploma, London (1952)
At St Margaret’s 1949-1951
After leaving school, Merilyn Luck (nee Beak) made an outstanding contribution to her local community of Rockhampton through her involvement and support of the Arts, the Anglican Church, Central Queensland University and both Grammar schools.
Merilyn’s involvement with the Rockhampton Art Gallery began in the late 1970s when she was one of the inaugural donors to establish an art collection. Her enthusiastic efforts contributed to the gallery now having one of regional Queensland’s most significant and valuable art collections. It is worth $14m and houses more than 1200 works, including many notable Australian artists. Merilyn became a Trustee in 1994 and was appointed Chair of the Rockhampton Art Gallery Trust in 2007 before retiring in 2016. The Art Gallery honoured her commitment and dedication, establishing the Merilyn Luck Gallery.
Merilyn was actively involved in the Anglican Church as a Lay Minister, Dean’s Warden and Parish Councillor. Within the Diocese, Merilyn coordinated finance and planning between 1985 to early 2000.
As Director of Central Queensland University’s Foundation in the 1990s, Merilyn played a key role in helping to lay the foundations of the university. The university recognised Merilyn’s contribution by conferring on her the Honorary Award of Companion of the University in 2013. She was also the recipient of the Rockhampton City Council’s Australia Day Cultural Award in 2012.
For many years Merilyn participated in mentoring and judging public speaking and oratory competitions at both The Rockhampton Grammar and Girls’ Grammar schools.
In 2017, she honoured with the Medal for the Order of Australian for her service to the Rockhampton community.
Three generations of Merilyn’s family have attended St Margaret’s, and she felt that the school’s core values had significantly helped to give her and her family direction for their life journeys.
Merilyn sadly passed away on 15 December 2022.
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