Trevor Sydney Cohen AM
Proudly sixth-generation Australian, Trevor Cohen's ancestors arrived in the antipodes in the early 1800s and became prominent citizens in the
early settlement of Melbourne. His interest in their stories and passion
for history has led to a lifetime of tracing and documenting Jewish
migration to Australia.
Trevor graduated from the University of Melbourne in 1961
before establishing the law firm Cohen & Cohen in partnership with
his brother Daryl and their wives Heather and Hannah. In the early
1970s the firm moved to a purpose-built office in Russell Street,
where they continued to practice for a number of years before
eventually amalgamating to become Wisewould Cohens.
In 1962, he served as secretary of the Victorian branch of the
Australian Jewish Historical Society and, in the 1970s, was elected
president following the retirement of Rabbi John Levi. Trevor served
as president for a number of years and published articles in the
society’s journal. He continued to serve as a committee member until
2020 when, on retirement, he was made a life member.
Trevor’s contribution to the community includes many decades on the
committee of the Jewish Children’s Aid Society and he was elected
as president following the tenure of his father and brother. He also served as founding chair and honorary solicitor of the Jewish Museum of Australia.
Trevor Cohen AM & Professor Geoffrey Blainey AC
Trevor has played a significant role with Maccabi Victoria, including
as president of the Judean League from 1976 to 1981. He was made
a life member in 1982 and was inducted into the Maccabi Victoria Hall
of Fame upon its establishment in 2000.
Trevor has a great love for Melbourne and has dedicated himself to
the restoration and preservation of several of the city’s historic
buildings including the Royal Arcade, where he has served as a director on the board for many years, The Cashmore and The Block Arcade.
In 2019 Trevor was made a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) in
recognition of his significant service to the Jewish community and to the preservation of heritage buildings.