Philip Ross Guest, 1959-78

Component identifier:

Series 3

Content Summary:

Epstein's third child, Philip Ross Guest, was born on 16 April 1959. He was a lively, intelligent child, who developed normally. When he was five, Philip was diagnosed with an inoperable brain tumour. He died a year later, completely physically disabled, but retaining his mental faculties.

In memory of Philip, Epstein and her husband presented a lectern, decorated with his sculptural likeness, to the Melbourne Kindergarten Teachers' College. They also established the Philip Ross Guest Memorial Endowment Fund, which was funded by royalties from Epstein's book Mermaid on wheels. The fund was used to establish the Philip Ross Guest Music Room at the Noah's Ark Toy Library for Handicapped Children in Melbourne.

Contained in this series are cards and letters from family and friends on Philip's birth and death and papers relating to his funeral service. There are also notes and photographs from the service for the presentation of the lectern and papers relating to the Memorial Endowment Fund, which include correspondence, financial statements, royalty statements and bank books.

See also series 7 for related papers.

Immediate source of acquisition:

The papers were acquired in instalments from June Epstein. Two larger instalments were received in 1994 and 1999 and three smaller ones in 1993, 1994 and 1996.

Names:

Epstein, June

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