People Australia

Mary Erskine Millar, née Anderson (1902-1985) trade union activist, feminist and Communist 

Birth: 11 February 1902 at Glasgow, Scotland, daughter of Alexander Anderson, compositor, and Isabella, née Sterling. Marriage: 3 January 1925 at Ipswich, Queensland, to Alexander Ramage (Sandy) Millar (1901-1985), an immigrant Scottish miner. They had two daughters. Death: 1 August 1985 in her home at Macklin Street, Holland Park, Brisbane. 

• Spent her childhood in Glasgow. Migrated to Australia in 1925 to marry Alexander Millar. Moved to Collinsville, North Queensland, where her husband worked in newly-opened state mine, both becoming active in the Miners' Federation.
• Secretary of the Collinsville branch of the Country Women's Association. Joined the Communist Party of Australia (CPA) in the mid-1930s. Was a member of the Bowen section committee of the CPA for several years.
• Gave her services as a pianist to support community causes, including fund-raising for the Collinsville town band.
• In 1954, with her family, moved to Brisbane, where she developed a long and active involvement in the women's movement. Was a foundation member of the Union of Australian Women and a member of UAW state management committee for many years.
• Also involved in campaigns and activities of the Australian Legion of Ex-Servicemen and Women in post-war years, working with women's auxiliary.
• In later life she was an active member of the Australian Pensioners League, serving as president of the Brisbane Metropolitan Branch for several years. She was a talented piano player and her craft work was described as “prodigious”.
• Cause of death: sudden collapse, influenza, generalised atherosclerosis and hypertension.
• Her husband died two months after she did.

Sources
Tribune (Sydney), 18 September 1985.