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Helen MacPherson SchuttPrint Page Print this page

08-June-2020
08-June-2020

Photographs supplied by David Brighton

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
State:VIC
Area:AUS
GPS Coordinates:Lat: -37.791811
Long: 144.961975
Note: GPS Coordinates are approximate.
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Details

Monument Type:Monument
Monument Theme:People
Sub-Theme:Humanitarian
Link:http://adbonline.anu.edu.au/adbonli…

Dedication

Actual Monument Dedication Date:Friday 30th November, 2001
Front Inscription

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.

 

Left Side Inscription

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

 

Source: MA,ADB
Monument details supplied by Monument Australia - www.monumentaustralia.org.au