Melbourne icon Lillian Frank dies, aged 92

Lillian’s daughter Jackie shared the heartbreaking news the doyen of Melbourne society passed away on Friday night.

Victorian Treasure Lillian Frank was Melbourne’s flamboyant society hairdresser, newspaper columnist and tireless charity worker. Picture: David Caird

Melbourne society doyen Lillian Frank has died.

Frank passed away in Melbourne on Friday night, aged 92.

“Last night we lost the heart and soul of our family,” her daughter Jackie said in a statement on social media.

“She lived life to the max, without any regrets and was forever grateful.

“She saw things through rose coloured glasses.

“No matter what adversity she had to face, and there were many, she saw the good in everyone and everything.

“Not many of you will know she was born in Burma, in 1930, fled to India during the war before being sent to her Aunt in the UK finally to make Australia her home.

“Forever trying to make a difference in the world.”

Jackie and Lillian Frank. Picture: Jenny Evans

Richard and Lillian Frank. Picture: Julie Kiriacoudis

“She used her flamboyant personality and social standing for good, raising millions for charity.”

“She had a very public life and I was often asked ‘what’s it like growing up with Lillian Frank as your mum?’

“My answer, to us she was mum, to my kids nani and the most spectacular, selfless human being in the world with the biggest heart.

“We (heart emoji) you, but a piece of our hearts will be broken forever. #RIP Lillian.”

Frank is survived by her husband of 66 years, Richard, and their daughters Jackie and Michelle.

Frank was one of the first celebrity hairdressers in Melbourne and a longtime social scribe for the Herald Sun.

She famously styled British supermodel Jean Shrimpton’s hair when she made her startling appearance in a mini skirt to the Victoria Derby in 1965.

She was a passionate fundraiser for a variety of charitable causes and was deeply committed to supporting Melbourne’s Royal Children’s Hospital.

For many years she headed the Royal Children’s Hospital Special Events committee and encouraged a generation of well-heeled Melburnians to dig deep for good causes.

Lillian with Olivia Newton John. Picture: Facebook

In 1977, Frank was appointed a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) for her charitable work for the Royal Children’s Hospital and Odyssey House in Melbourne.

She was appointed a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) for her service to the community in 1991.

Employment Minister Jaala Pulford could not confirm whether the family of Lilian Frank would be offered a state funeral to mourn the socialite’s passing.

“I don’t have any advice on (the state funeral offer),” Ms Pulford said.

“What I would say is that the Victorian community stands in solidarity with Lilian Frank’s family.

“We express our deepest condolences to them at what’s a really difficult time.

“We thank her for incredible presence, her incredible work in business, and in the community.”

Frank’s daughter Michelle on Saturday night paid an emotional tribute to her mother on Facebook.

“Our rock, our love, my mum, a diamond,” Michelle wrote.

“A star, a heart bigger than anything even possible.

“She told me God loved her.

“She passed before midnight last night (Friday).

“How ironic it was a Jewish holiday called Tu B’Av, the holiday of love.

“I am heartbroken. She was love. She made a difference to the world.

“I was blessed to be her daughter, so lucky, and told her so.”

Ann Peacock, the General Manager of Community and Charity for Crown Resorts, described Frank as a “one of a kind.”

“My first memory of Lillian Frank is one of my mother taking me to get my hair cut with her as a young girl at her salon,” Peacock recalled.

“My forever memory of her will be of an outstanding woman who gave her all to charitable causes.

“Her fundraising ability was incredible - she was able to knock on the door of the leaders of business and ask them for financial assistance for her charity event: and they always gave.

Peter Blunden, Lillian Frank and Ann Peacock. Picture: Julie Kiriacoudis

“Lillian loved Melbourne and Melbourne will miss this incredible, one of a kind woman who gave so much of her heart and soul to the city that, in return, gave her the opportunity to be one of its most iconic citizens.

“To me, Lillian was glamour and grace. With a devilish sense of humour and someone I could always rely and turn to for great friendship, advice and kindness, particularly after my mother passed away, she was constantly there for me.

“She added a sparkle to every gathering and worked tirelessly for charities and did whatever she could to help others.

“She was from that exceptional era of women who rose from challenging beginnings to make their own, truly unique way in the world. I won’t ever forget her.”

Celebrated fashion designer Toni Maticevski paid tribute to Frank.

“What a bloody amazing woman she was!! Added sparkle and smiles to everyone of our lives,” he wrote on social media.

Ian "Molly" Meldrum and Lillian Frank at Wesley Mission dinner.

Lillian Frank and Bert Newton.

Rebecca Judd and Lillian Frank at the Myer window launch in Bourke St, Melbourne.

“Deepest condolences to you and your family Jackie. Your Mum was always so lovely, engaging and kind to me. She will be missed,” wrote Megan Gale.

Julia Morris wrote: “What a truly epic woman she was. So incredibly generous with her time & energy & she had a significant impact on many lives. Lil was very good to me over a number of years & she had a superb sense of humour. May she Rest In Peace.”

Eddie McGuire described Frank as an influencer before the term existed.

“She was our first influencer. The technology has only now caught up with Lillian Frank’s amazing marketing pizazz,” McGuire said.

“She had a world view of things, she had been to London, she understood style, she understood publicity.”

He said through her newspaper column Frank opened the door for readers to get to know the loves and lifestyles of the movers and shakers of Melbourne.

“It was different to footy and racing, politics and police rounds, there was Lillian with this whole new world that so many of us did not know existed,” McGuire said.

Dame Edna Everage with Lillian Frank.

Nicky Whelan and Lillian Frank at a Myer launch at the Royal Exhibition building.

Shane Warne and Lillian Frank at the Shane Warne Foundation launch at Crown Casino.

“I first saw Lillian Frank when she used to do her photos in the paper of all the different celebrities, local celebrities, she actually localised celebrity, she made people big names and took readers into the big parties and opening nights and events in Melbourne.”

McGuire said Frank was “an amazing contributor to Melbourne.”

“You would never meet a more generous person,” he said.

“With her amazing drive for the Royal Children’s Hospital she inspired so many people to give generously and get involved in charity.”

Sam Newman said Frank was a true A-lister.

“I knew Lillian from my early days of playing for Geelong,” Newman said.

“A vibrant, engaging icon of Melbourne’s glitterati, she and Richard were certainly A-listers.”

Stage star Rhonda Burchmore described Frank as a force of nature.

“In the charity space if Lillian asked you to do something you would not dare not too,” Rhonda Burchmore recalled.

“She was quite a force to be reckoned with. Whenever she asked I would be there in a heartbeat.

“She championed so many performers and shows with her column. She wrote about them and people came to see them.

“She was incredibly supportive of me personally and for her support and love of Melbourne and Melbourne people, she is irreplaceable.”

Former magazine editor Deborah Thomas said: “I had the pleasure to know and work with Lillian and she was definitely a force of nature and did amazing work for charity. Lillian was a Melbourne icon and very much an independent woman, well before her time.”

The Royal Children’s Hospital Foundation described Frank as a visionary philanthropist who worked tirelessly to raise millions of dollars to support sick children.

“Lillian was passionate about the difference philanthropy can make in the lives of

others and was a dedicated supporter of the RCH,” Sue Hunt, chief executive of the RCH Foundation, said.

“She was a vibrant member of the Melbourne community and had an extraordinary ability to bring together her incredible network to support the lives of sick children, and for that we are immensely grateful.

“On a personal note, I will miss her smile, her sense of fun and her generosity. On behalf of the RCH Foundation, we send our heartfelt condolences to Lillian’s family at this very sad time.”