[2] In the early 1970s, Merrillees, along with his wife and their two daughters, took part in the Columbia University Expedition to Phlamoudhi, Cyprus, led by Edith Porada.
[3] Reminiscing about the two seasons of excavations that the family took part in, Merrillees described the experience as "unforgettable", leaving them with "a sense of achievement, lasting friendships and a nostalgia for times past".
[5] In February 1990, Merrillees led a team to Cambodia to hold talks with Phnom Penh government officials in preparation for a peace agreement.
[6] The next month Merrillees travelled to Washington, New York, Canada and Paris to continue discussions on a Cambodian settlement.
[10] She is married to Australia's Permanent Representative to the United Nations,[11] James Larsen, former Australian Ambassador to Israel and to Turkey.