Retaining our Heritage
Myer Melbourne Mural Hall
For 71 years hundreds upon thousands of Australian shoppers and international tourists have marvelled at the murals located in the Myer Mural Hall of our Melbourne store, but few know the story behind the murals.
The murals’ creator artist Napier Waller was born in country Victoria and lived in Melbourne for most of his life.
Following the loss of his arm while serving in the First World War, Waller spent time in England having to learn how to remaster the arts of sketching and painting, using his left arm.
As a testament to the artist’s strength and determination he was able to re-learn his craft and he returned to Melbourne having overcome a major obstacle.
His ability to create beautiful public works that concentrated on medieval subjects and classical themes led to the artist being commissioned to create art which could be enjoyed by the general public.
Sidney Myer, the founder of the then Myer Emporium commissioned the artist to create the murals, which act as a tribute to women and their achievements throughout history.
The huge Myer murals took approximately one year to complete and were painted at Waller’s studio at Fairy Hills in Ivanhoe and then transported to the Mural Hall in Melbourne.
The ten murals which line the 150 foot long, 60 foot wide, and 24 foot high hall are a celebration of influential figures in the areas of art, history, opera, literature, dance and fashion.
Sidney Myer did not live to see the works as they were competed only a few months after his death in 1935.
Community Involvement and Philanthropy
The Myer business has also built a strong history of community involvement and has become famous for its celebration of the festive season with its highly popular Myer Christmas windows. Beginning with the first windows opening in Melbourne’s Olympic year, 1956, featuring Santa and the Olympics as a theme, each year the windows reflect special elements of Australia’s culture.
Philanthropy was another platform for which Myer became renowned, respected and admired. In 1959, the Sidney Myer Music Bowl opened and like the retailing icon founded by its namesake, it too became a national institution. Today the Sidney Myer Music Bowl is famous for its annual celebration of Christmas when it is home to the popular Carols by Candlelight held every Christmas Eve. This tradition of philanthropy continues through the Myer Community Fund.
