Why we exist
Our Purpose
Mutual Trust Purpose
Our Purpose is to help families achieve what matters most.
We pride ourselves on:
- Caring for our families, our people and communities, not just their finances
- Delivering what they require under one roof
- Providing pre-eminent independent advice
- Enabling our families to have a positive impact on society
We do this with people who are excellent, heartfelt, inspiring and principled.
In doing so, we will be the exceptional Multi-Family Office.
Our values
At Mutual Trust we are:
Excellent
- Do work of the highest standard
- Anticipate future needs
- Seek better outcomes
- Continuously grow our expertise
Inspiring
- Encourage the best in each other
- Create a great place to work
- Are proud of our families and their heritage
- Look to the future and lead with purpose
Heartfelt
- Are genuine and understand you
- Care about what matters to you
- Ensure you feel at home
- Build longstanding relationships of mutual trust
Principled
- Act with honesty and integrity
- Are discreet
- Provide thoughtful challenge
- Work on the basis of mutual respect
Our heritage
Initially founded in 1921 by W.L. Baillieu and his four brothers as a vehicle to provide accounting and trustee services for the Baillieu family, we have grown and evolved over the years to meet the needs of a changing world. In 2017, following the union of Mutual Trust and The Myer Family Company Limited (MFCo), Australia’s largest Multi-Family Office was formed.
Today, Mutual Trust has over 200 employees and four offices nationally and is the trusted partner to many of Australia’s wealthiest families and individuals.
William Lawrence Baillieu
1859–1936
William Lawrence Baillieu (1859–1936), known as W.L., was born in Australia as one of 16 children and made his fortune in property and finance.
He was known as a builder of businesses and constructor of new industries, having developed significant business interests before moving into politics. In 1918 in the wake of the Great War, he and his brothers gifted wealth and property to support returning soldiers, setting up the Anzac House hospital for disabled veterans in Melbourne.
Sidney Myer
1878–1934
Sidney Myer (1878–1934) was one of the most visionary and generous entrepreneurs Australia has known. After arriving from Russia in 1899, Sidney built a business empire that is still a household name today.
Sidney and his wife Dame Merlyn Myer dedicated themselves to ensuring that future generations could take part in the opportunities created by their wealth.
As a child he was firmly educated by his parents in the importance of community and giving generously to those less fortunate. Later in life he would become renowned as an incredible visionary for philanthropy in Australia. Notable among his initiatives was the gift of Christmas dinner for 11,000 people at Melbourne’s Exhibition Building in 1930 during the Great Depression. A year later, he helped fund jobs for 1,000 married men by enabling the construction of the Yarra Boulevard.
Dame Merlyn Myer née Baillieu
1900–1982
Dame Merlyn Myer née Baillieu (1900–1982) philanthropist and fundraiser, was the matriarch of the Myer family. Merlyn was a noted philanthropist, Board member and champion for the well-being of women.
After the untimely death of her husband, Sidney Myer, Merlyn plunged herself into the Myer Emporium and charitable work, administering the Sidney Myer Charitable Trust which financed the Sidney Myer Music Bowl, amongst many other projects.
Apart from her many Myer-related activities, she was for more than four decades a very active Board member of the Royal Melbourne Hospital and a member of many committees. During her lifetime she made substantial donations to the hospital. In 1954 she was made an honorary life governor.
Merlyn was a member of the national council of the Australian Red Cross Society in 1937-47. For her work on behalf of the Red Cross during the war, she was appointed OBE. She was an active fundraiser for cancer and heart disease research and was a member or patron of a host of other community welfare organisations. In 1960 she was promoted to DBE for her philanthropy.
Today, Mutual Trust honours Merlyn through Merlyn’s Circle – a program of events which seeks to celebrate the role and achievement of women in building enduring family legacies.