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Helen MacPherson SchuttPrint Page 
The obelisk, erected in the family plot, commemorates philanthropist, Helen MacPherson Schutt.
Helen Schutt supported a number of charitable causes, including the missions to seamen, the Royal District Nursing Service and the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.
She was resident at the Hotel Majestic in Cannes on the French Riviera when she contracted pneumonia and died on 19 April 1951. Despite her considerable wealth, Helen was buried in a pauper’s grave in the Saint Pierre Cemetery in Marseilles. Later, acting on instructions from solicitors, her body was exhumed and her remains cremated in accordance with her wishes. Helen’s ashes were cast to the winds in the Marseilles Cemetery.
When she died in 1951, Helen Schutt left some £275,000 to establish a perpetual charitable trust for the benefit of Victorians, originally known as the Helen M. Schutt Trust. In 2001, to mark the fiftieth anniversary of her benefaction and the contribution made by both the Macphersons and the Smiths, the name was changed to the Helen Macpherson Smith Trust and an obelisk was erected at the Melbourne General Cemetery to honour her memory. By June 2004, $50 million had been given to Victorian charitable institutions.
Location
| Address: | College Crescent , Melbourne General Cemetery, Carlton North, 3054 |
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| State: | VIC |
| Area: | AUS |
| GPS Coordinates: | Lat: -37.791811 Long: 144.961975 Note: GPS Coordinates are approximate. |
Details
| Monument Type: | Monument |
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| Monument Theme: | People |
| Sub-Theme: | Humanitarian |
| Link: | http://adbonline.anu.edu.au/adbonli… |
Dedication
| Actual Monument Dedication Date: | Friday 30th November, 2001 |
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Memorial to Helen MacPherson Schutt [ nee Smith ]
Philanthropist to Victoria
17 April - 19 April 1951
Unveiled by her trustees on 30th November 2001 to commemorates the 50th year of her benefaction to the people of Victoria.
Helen MacPherson Schutt [ nee Smith ]
A private life
Born Darnick Scotland, 17th April 1874
Only child of Robert Smith and Jane Priscilla MacPherson
Married William John Schutt in 1901
Died Cannes, France, 19th April 1951
Aged 77 years
Her will established a philanthropic trust to the benefit of the people of Victoria.
Helen MacPherson Smith Trust
A lasting legacy
In 1951 Helen`s estate provided an endowment of £350,000 to establish a perpetual philanthrophic trust
For 50 years it was known as Helen M. Schutt Trust
In 2001 the name was changed to Helen MacPherson Smith Trust
The lasting legacy of Helen will perpetually benefit the people of Victoria
