Myer Kangan (1917–1991)
Myer Kangan, OA [i.e. AO], OBE, who died on October 4, aged 74, was a strong-willed man who, even after his retirement, continued to work for the Jewish community, particularly the organisation he founded, the Jewish Centre on Ageing.
Despite retirement and ill health, Mr Kangan worked for older members of the community still living in a traditional manner, who did not want to go into nursing homes.
Through his work, the Jewish centre in Sydney grew from 32 members to 1500, and is now a major community organisation providing home help and meals to hundreds of people.
Mr Kangan graduated from the University of Queensland with a BA. In World War II he joined the Commonwealth Public Service and worked on a project dealing with aircraft design. By the time he retired he had become the acting head of the Department of Labour, specialising in management training.
He was responsible also for many activities of the Commonwealth Employment Service, including the introduction of training schemes for women waiting to re-enter the workforce.
In 1983 he returned to Sydney to establish the centre. A memorial service was held in Sydney on October 6.
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'Kangan, Myer (1917–1991)', Obituaries Australia, National Centre of Biography, Australian National University, https://oa.anu.edu.au/obituary/kangan-myer-22097/text33051, accessed 3 March 2025.
Life Summary [details]
Birth
12 July,
1917
Brisbane,
Queensland,
Australia
Death
4 October,
1991
(aged 74)
Sydney,
New South Wales,
Australia
Cause of Death
Cultural Heritage
Includes subject's nationality; their parents' nationality; the countries in which they spent a significant part of their childhood, and their self-identity.
Religious Influence
Includes the religion in which subjects were raised, have chosen themselves, attendance at religious schools and/or religious funeral rites; Atheism and Agnosticism have been included.