Mollie Lukis

Meroula Frances Fellowes (Mollie) Lukis OAM (13 August 1912 – 1 August 2009) was a prominent Western Australian archivist and promoter of women's rights.[1][2]

Lukis was born in Donnybrook, Western Australia in 1912 and attended St Mary's Church of England School in Perth and the University of Western Australia from where she graduated with Honours in 1932.[3] She gained a Diploma of Teaching the following year and worked as a teacher in Perth, Victoria and England from 1932 to 1940. During the Second World War she worked at the Munitions Supply Laboratories in Victoria.

In 1945, State Librarian James Battye chose her to lead the state's archive branch, becoming Australia's first female State Archivist. She was strongly influenced by the American archival theorist, Theodore Schellenberg, whom she met during his 1954 Australian tour. In 1957, she was awarded a Carnegie Grant which allowed her to travel to the United States to study with him.[4] Lukis retired as the head of the Battye Library in 1971. She was awarded an Order of the British Empire in 1976 and an Order of Australia for her archival work.

In 2006, The West Australian listed her as one of WA's 100 most influential people.

References
  1. "Mollie Lukis The First State Archivist". State Records Office. 17 November 2008. Archived from the original on 13 September 2009. Retrieved 14 September 2009.
  2. Pioneering archivist and activist dies at 97, Kate Campbell, The West Australian.
  3. "Lukis, Merolla Frances Fellowes (Mollie) (1911 - )". The Australian Women's Register. Retrieved 14 September 2009.
  4. "Mollie Lukis The First State Archivist". State Records Office. 17 November 2008. Archived from the original on 13 September 2009. Retrieved 14 September 2009.
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