June Dally-Watkins | |
---|---|
Born | June Marie Skewes 13 June 1927
Sydney,
New South Wales, Australia |
Died | 22 February 2020 Sydney, New South Wales, Australia | (aged 92)
Nationality | Australian |
Occupations |
|
Years active | 1950–2020 |
Height | 164 cm (5 ft 4+1⁄2 in) |
Political party | Christian Democrats |
June Marie Dally-Watkins OAM ( née Skewes; 13 June 1927 – 22 February 2020) was an Australian businesswoman and fashion model, recognised by the Australian honours system as an entrepreneur. [1] In 1950 she started a personal-development school in Sydney to train young women in etiquette and deportment. A year later, she started Australia's first model agency and modelling school, and later established a Business Finishing College. [2] She later became a public proponent of etiquette and elocution, and frequently commented on those topics in the media. [3] [4]
In 1993, Dally-Watkins received an Order of Australia Medal for her contribution to business. [1] [5]
In 2014 she featured on the popular Australian television show Bogan Hunters on the 7mate channel, where she provided information relating to etiquette to series winners. [6]
In 2019 she taught etiquette to women in China. [7]
Dally-Watkins was born in Sydney in June 1927 with the birth name June Skewes. [8] Her mother, Caroline May Skewes, came from a family of farmers in the village of Watsons Creek, close to Tamworth, New South Wales. Her father, whom she did not meet until later in life, was a businessman named Bob Monkton, [7] who had met Skewes while on a rabbit-hunting expedition in Watsons Creek. Former army captain and wine salesman David Dally-Watkins married her mother and adopted her in 1940, after which she assumed his name, becoming June Dally-Watkins. [7] [9] The family moved to Sydney in 1940, where Dally-Watkins attended the Willoughby Girls High School, but Caroline's marriage to David was short-lived, and she and Dally-Watkins returned to live in Tamworth in 1942 amidst threat of a Japanese invasion of Australia. [9]
In 1944 Tamworth-based photographer Jan Solomons performed a photoshoot with Dally-Watkins, after which he suggested to her mother that her appearance could lead her to a career in modelling. [9] Acting on this advice, the pair moved back to Sydney, where Dally-Watkins was appointed to a modelling job at Farmers & Co Department Store, [10] (acquired by Myer in 1961). Dally-Watkins later described her appearance in the 1940s as resembling that of a milkmaid, but her success grew through the decade and in 1949 she won the Australian Model of the Year award. [11]
In 1950, after a visit to New York City to research the latest developments in fashion, [12] Dally-Watkins founded a school of deportment and etiquette. She then went on to start her own modelling agency, as well as a business college. [11]
In later life, Dally-Watkins expanded her etiquette coaching to China, establishing a programme called Look of Success in collaboration with a Chinese partner. The programme ran a series of courses, using venues such as luxury hotels. [13]
Dally-Watkins had a brief relationship with American actor Gregory Peck. [14] In 1953, she married John Clifford, a naval officer, but they separated in 1968, finalizing in 1969. [15] The couple had four children; two sons and two daughters. [7]
She died on 22 February 2020, aged 92. [8] [1]
She was recognised as a trailblazing entrepreneur, receiving an Order of Australia for her contribution to business in 1993.