Jacobena Angliss

Who was Jacobena Angliss?

Dame Jacobena Angliss, DBE was an Australian philanthropist, arts supporter, and community worker.

She was born in Epping, Victoria as Jacobena Victoria Alice Grutzner, daughter of Jacob and Frances Grutzner. Jacobena Grutzner married butcher and meat exporter William Charles Angliss at St. Columb's Church, Hawthorn, Victoria on 31 March 1919; they had one child, a daughter, Eirene Rose.

Jacobena Angliss's husband, William, was a member of the Legislative Council of Victoria from 1912 to 1952, had wide experience in industry management and accumulated great wealth through the establishment of a number of pastoral companies. In his will, he set aside £1 million for the creation of a charitable trust. Lady Angliss, who was also involved with several charities, became chairman of the trust. Along with being trustee of the William Angliss Estate, she was chairman of the Bluff Downs Pastoral Company and of Miranda Downs Properties Ltd.

A member of both the Lyceum and Alexandra clubs in Melbourne, Lady Angliss enjoyed gardening and music. She was president of the Astra Chamber Music Society and director of the National Memorial Theatre.