Spitzer, Fleur

In 1996, as part of the Queen's Birthday Honours, Fleur Spitzer was awarded a Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) for service to women. She was recognised in particular for services to the ageing through the work of the Alma Unit, Australia's first multidisciplinary research and teaching unit focussing on health and well being of women aged 65 years and over. Established in 1993 at the University of Melbourne with an endowment from Ms Spitzer, the Unit is now housed at Victoria University.

Fleur Spitzer heads the Melbourne Community Foundation's Ageing Well Theme Fund, is a member of Philanthropy Australia and the Arts Victoria Centre, and an associate supporter of 'IWDA' (International Women's Development Agency). Her interests included the well-being of older women, ageism and stereotyping, indigenous Australians, asylum seekers and philanthropy.

Ann Arnold spoke to Fleur Spitzer on Radio National's Life Matters program (14/11/2002) about her longtime activism in the women's movement, and the evolution of her philanthropy which means she now spends money on specific projects of interest, rather than giving it away to large organisations.

Sources used to compile this entry: http://www.arts.unimelb.edu.au/general/projects/cshs/alma/alma_home.htm - accessed 16012003, http://www.iwda.org.au/index.htm - accessed 16012003 and http://www.staff.vu.edu.au/aura/Associates/Associates.htm - accessed 16012003

Membership

• Lyceum Club (Melbourne) (1912 - )