Robert Merrillees
Australian diplomat and archaeologist From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Robert S. Merrillees FAHA (born 25 July 1938) is a former Australian diplomat and archaeologist. His memoir Diplomatic Digs was released in 2012 as an e-book.[1]
Robert Merrillees | |
|---|---|
| Born | 25 July 1938 |
| Nationality | Australian |
| Alma mater | University of Sydney (BA) University of London (PhD) |
| Occupation(s) | Diplomat, archaeologist, author |
| Spouse | Parvine Helen Merrillees |
| Children | Antoinette and Dolla |
| Parent(s) | Edna Merrillees, John Merrillees |
Merrillees joined the Australian Public Service in the Department of External Affairs in 1964.[2]
In the early 1970s, Merrillees, along with his wife and their two daughters, took part in the Columbia University Expedition to Phlamoudhi, Cyprus, led by Edith Porada.[3] Reminiscing about the two seasons of excavations that the family took part in, Merrillees described the experience as "unforgettable", leaving them with "a sense of achievement, lasting friendships and a nostalgia for times past".[4]
Merrillees first ambassadorial appointment was in 1983, in Tel Aviv where he was Australian Ambassador to Israel until 1987.[5]
In February 1990, Merrillees led a team to Cambodia to hold talks with Phnom Penh government officials in preparation for a peace agreement.[6] The next month Merrillees travelled to Washington, New York, Canada and Paris to continue discussions on a Cambodian settlement.
In October 1991, Merrillees took up an appointment as Australian Ambassador to Sweden; and non-resident Ambassador to Finland.[7] His appointment lasted until 1995, when he was appointed Australian Ambassador to Greece.[2] Beginning his posting to Athens in January 1996, Merrillees was recalled early from the role, in 1998, and took early retirement.[8]
Merrillees was elected a Corresponding Fellow of the Australian Academy of the Humanities in 1992.[9]
Merrillees's elder daughter, Antoinette, also joined the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and in 2016 was Charge d’affaires in Berlin.[10] She is married to Australia's Permanent Representative to the United Nations,[11] James Larsen, former Australian Ambassador to Israel and to Turkey.[12] They have three children together: Robert, Isobel and Alexandra.
Merrillees's younger daughter Dolla Merrillees until recently[when?] was the Director of the Museum of Applied Arts and Sciences, Powerhouse Museum, Sydney Observatory and Museums Discovery Centre in Sydney.[13][14] She is also the author of the book, The Woodcutter's Wife: A Stepmother's Tale, the story of her struggles in becoming a stepmother.[15]
- Diplomatic Digs, Echo Books, 2012
- Living with Egypt's Past in Australia, Museum of Victoria, 1990, ISBN 9780724196739
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