• Entry type: Person
  • Entry ID: IMP0150

Frank, Lillian Georgina

(1936 – )
  • Born 1 January, 1936, Rangoon Burma
  • Occupation Businesswoman, Charity worker

Summary

Lillian Frank was a high profile Toorak (Victoria) hairdresser who built up her own business as well as undertaking fundraising for charity. On 11 June 1977, Frank was appointed a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) for her involvement with charities, including the Royal Children’s Hospital and Odyssey House in Melbourne. On 10 June 1991 she was appointed a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) for her service to the community.

Details

Lillian Frank settled in Melbourne during the 1950s. Originally from Burma, her family fled upon the Japanese invasion, leaving behind all their processions. After spending the rest of the war in a refugee camp in Calcutta, at the war’s end she and her family went to London. During the 1950s she came to Melbourne to visit her sister, and stayed. She married restaurateur Richard Frank in 1956 and they had two daughters.

Setting up her own hairdressing salon in the 1960s, Lillian Frank was the hair stylist for Jean Shrimpton when the latter wore a mini skirt at the Melbourne Spring Carnival. Frank’s involvement with the carnival continues as a judge of the Fashions on the Field at Caulfield Racecourse, and on the final panel at the Melbourne Cup.

A society columnist for the Herald-Sun for many years, Lillian Frank has held committee positions and organised society gatherings especially to fundraise for Victorian charities.

Read

Published resources