Meg Paul, one of the original founders of what became ABC Friends, has been awarded life membership of ABC Friends Victoria.

 
Photo – Peter Monie and Rosie Spear presenting the Life Membership plaque to Meg Paul  

Former Victorian President of ABC Friends, Peter Monie, who nominated Meg for Life Membership, comments on Meg’s background and contributions.

The highlight of Meg’s education appears to have been at Merton Hall where the significant figure of the great educator of women, Dorothy Ross, had a profound effect on her view of what she could achieve. Dorothy Ross was Headmistress of Merton Hall at that time.

At that school, she recalls a visit by Sir Wilfred Kent-Hughes whose sister was a Merton Hall student - her story had Kent-Hughes charging into the classroom accompanied by two Aide-de-Camps, and informing the class and the teacher that “China does not exist”.

Later, Meg had considerable experience as a librarian - and was on the Council of the State Library for a number of years.

Meg was one of the founders of Aunty’s Nieces and Nephews, which was created in response to the Fraser Government’s proposals in 1976 to introduce various changes to the ABC, including funding cuts and the threatened removal of Commissioners appointed by the Whitlam Government.

The Melbourne Town Hall meeting in that year (depicted in historical photos – see ABCF 50th website) featured Phillip Adams addressing the crowd, calling “Argonauts, prepare to Mutiny” with Gough Whitlam sitting on stage. Meg booked the Town Hall and persuaded people at the Trades Hall to help fund the costs. It is believed that the ABC helped with providing sound systems. It was a momentous occasion.

Ken Inglis mentions in his iconic book on the ABC (page 402) that “Nieces and Nephews lobbied against the clause removing the Commissioners”. Meg flew to Canberra with others and lobbied the government – perhaps the first such lobbying by ABC supporters.

In pursuit of the Nieces and Nephews agenda Meg used her contacts to get things happening - for instance, Dame Leonie Kramer, who was the first woman to Chair the ABC, was a cousin.

Dietrich Borchardt, who became the first Chief Librarian at the nascent LaTrobe Uni, was another useful contact.

Fifty years on, Meg is still an active ABC enthusiast and was called on to cut the cake at the 50th anniversary event at the Capitol Theatre on 14 June 2026.