| [Index] |
| Lillian Maud BLAKENEY (1892 - 1993) |
| Children | Self + Spouses | Parents | Grandparents | Greatgrandparents |
| Lillian Maud BLAKENEY (1892 - 1993) + George MILLER ( - 1945) |
James BLAKENEY (1844 - 1921) | Michael BLAKENEY (1818 - 1854) | ||
| Anne BRENNAN | ||||
| Rhoda HAMILTON (1849 - 1931) | ||||
| b. 11 Jul 1892 at Tumut, New South Wales, Australia |
| m. 1922 George MILLER ( - 1945) at Sydney, New South Wales, Australia |
| d. 25 Jan 1993 at Sydney, New South Wales, Australia aged 100 |
| Parents: |
| James BLAKENEY (1844 - 1921) |
| Rhoda HAMILTON (1849 - 1931) |
| Events in Lillian Maud BLAKENEY (1892 - 1993)'s life | |||||
| Date | Age | Event | Place | Notes | Src |
| 11 Jul 1892 | Lillian Maud BLAKENEY was born | Tumut, New South Wales, Australia | 73 | ||
| 18 Aug 1921 | 29 | Death of father James BLAKENEY (aged 77) | Manly, New South Wales, Australia | ||
| 1922 | 30 | Married George MILLER | Sydney, New South Wales, Australia | 73 | |
| 02 Nov 1931 | 39 | Death of mother Rhoda HAMILTON (aged 82) | Manly, New South Wales, Australia | ||
| abt 1945 | 53 | Death of husband George MILLER | Sydney, New South Wales, Australia | 69 | |
| 25 Jan 1993 | 100 | Lillian Maud BLAKENEY died | Sydney, New South Wales, Australia | ||
| Personal Notes: |
|
LILY MILLAR nee BLAKENEY
by Lorraine Symons The Tumut & Adelong Times, 9 February 1993, carried a report of the death on 25 January in Sydney of a Mrs Lily Millar of Onslow Gardens, Potts Point, in her 101't year of age. At that time, despite her longevity, Lily Millar was known only to a handful of people in the town of her birth. Now in the year 2001 and in the decades to follow many more Tumut citizens will hear of her and her generosity to them. Lily Maud Mary Blakeney was born at Tumut on 11 July 1892 to James and Rhoda Blakeney (nee Hamilton). She was the youngest of their six surviving children and like her four brothers and sister was baptised in the Catholic Church. James her father came to Tumut in 1869 to commence business as a saddler and harness maker and became one of the town's most esteemed citizens, taking an active part in all public affairs. Lily spent only a short part of her long life in her birthplace leaving with her parents for Sydney in 1911 to settle with them in Manly. (James had retired and left his saddlery business in Tumut to his son Roland). ln 1922 Lily married Sydney accountant George Millar. Lily and George had no children and he died in the 1940's; she did not remarry. After her husband's death she taught English to overseas students in Sydney. ln the early 1960's Lily's passion for Blakeney family history was born and would endure for the remainder of her life. On an infrequent return visit to Tumut in 1985, aged 93, Lily Millar introduced herself in a pleasant but business-like fashion to solicitor Tom Stacy and requested his help "in a matter to benefit the town", thus laying the foundation for a unique cash gift to Tumut and its citizens. Lily's mind was firmly made up the day she called on Mr. Stacy. A clearly thought out plan unfolded as she sat in his elm shaded office in Fitzroy St - a building, coincidently, which was once the primary school she had attended. A trust fund to manage the distribution of her legacy after her death would be called the Blakeney-Millar Foundation, recognising her maiden and married names, with seven respected community members invited to be trustees. They were informed that a "reasonable" amount of money would be available on her death for Tumut's benefit. ln carefully worded guidelines, she insisted the fund must "stimulate and promote original or innovative work by individuals acting either independently or through appropriate organizations, in the fields of education, health care, beautification of Tumut and its environs and community services". The funds could not be donated to existing charities nor could they be expended on projects that would be eligible for government grants. All her long life Lily Millar was inspired by people with vision, initiative and enthusiasm to improve their community. She had always admired local man Fred Kinred's progressive ideas and energy in trying unsuccessfully to interest government in an irrigation and electricity scheme many decades before the Snowy Scheme was engineered. Twelve months after her death, Lily's bequest created a great deal of local interest and national media attention when it was announced the fu.nds allocated to Tumut, together with property in Sydney, totalled close to $1.5 million. Probably the most accurate of the media reports at the time and one that gives an insight into Lily Millar's personality is contained in the Melbourne Herald Sun of 14 January 1994. ln part it reads as follows: THE SHREWD WOMAN WHO NEVER FORGOT The amazing Lily Millar never quite fitted the "mystery benefactor" stereotype. Far from being a wizened recluse in Hollywood style, Mrs Millar was a charming, vital and astute woman of boundless energy. Physically impressive, she always dressed well and carried herself proudly - tall and square - shouldered. An old friend described her entrances into meetings as like "a ship in full sail". Despite minimal education, she was a shrewd investor and possessed an uncanny ability to read the share market. A sharp judge of character, she was also a "stupendous cook" according to friends. Dinner pariies in her home in swish Potts Point in Sydney were legendary for their liveliness and sumptuous fare. For such a clever person, Mrs Millar had her ironies, not least of which was being superstitious. ln her travels she demanded hotel rooms be checked before she entered, lest there were green furnishings. She had a thing about green. She always travelled oyerseas by ship after a fortuneteller told her she would die in an air crash. Dr Archer Broughton, who chairs the trust established to administer her bequest, came to call Mrs Millar a friend and fondly recalls the "smaft and spritely" woman who never forgot her origins. He also recalls her wry humor. Years after she announced her intention to leave a substantial sum of money to Tumut, Mrs Millar mentioned some "worrying news" to Dr Broughton. "lt is not going to be as easy as I thought", she said. "l am much richer than I thought I was" Another time, Dr Broughton inquired of her health. "l am very well, thank you - which may be bad news for you people," was the reply. (Mrs Millar was 94 at the time and had another seven busy years to live). Lily Millar lived for the future and, in particular, Tumut's future. She may yet prove to be one of the town's most loving daughters. |
| Source References: |
| 69. Type: Book, Abbr: Relict of, Title: Relict of … Lives of Pioneering Women of Tumut and District, Auth: Tumut Family History Group, Publ: Tumut Family History Group, Date: 2001 |
| - Reference = 90 (Name, Notes) |
| 73. Type: Book, Abbr: Pioneers of Tumut Valley, Title: Pioneers of the Tumult Valley , The History of Early Settlement, Auth: H.E. Snowden, Publ: Tumut & District Historical Society Incorporated, Date: 2004 |
| - Reference = 109 (Birth) |
| - Reference = 109 (Marriage) |
| - Reference = 109 (Name, Notes) |