Nell Pyle Obituary, Death – Nell Pyle, our esteemed company’s founder and the matriarch of our family-owned business, passed away peacefully last week at the ripe old age of 98. It is with a great deal of regret that we have to inform you of her passing away. In the year 2005, the Australian Museum of Clothing and Textiles was founded by Nell Pyle with the support of the residents of Maitland. Nell’s personal collection, which she gathered over the course of sixty years with contributions from both her family and her theatrical interests, makes up the bulk of the museum’s collection. Nell drew inspiration for her collection from both her family and the theater.
A lot of years were spent during Nell Pyle’s tenure at the Maitland Repertory Theatre serving in the role of wardrobe mistress. It was this employment that first piqued her interest in the apparel and textiles from the Hunter region and ultimately led to the commencement of her collection of items from that region. Nell was well-known for her historical fashion parades, which aroused interest among the local populace in the collection as well as the history of textiles and apparel. Nell’s parades were a big part of the reason why the collection was started. Nell was employed in the fashion industry in addition to her employment for the theater industry. On March 21, 2005, the museum received the official authorization to operate as a commercial enterprise. Nell was a very important person in the life of the Maitland community, and she has left behind a legacy that we will do everything in our power to preserve in her honor and in remembrance of the things she gave to the world.
In 2005, Nell was awarded an Order of Australia Medal in recognition of the significant contribution that she has made to the recording and preservation of social history through the utilization of historical fashion displays, theater, and writing. This honor was bestowed upon her in recognition of the fact that she has made these contributions. She was also the recipient of a number of other awards, such as the Maitland Medal in 2004, the NSW Senior Citizens Award for Education and Lifelong Learning in 2011, the Tocal Medal for service as a Friend of Tocal, and in 2014, Nell had her name added to the Hidden Treasures Honour Roll for her volunteer roles and valuable contribution to rural communities in New South Wales. In addition, she was the recipient of a number of other awards, such as the Maitland Medal in 2004.
