Lady Phyllis Cilento was born in Sydney on 13 March 1894. She was educated in Adelaide, graduating with a MB, BS from the University of Adelaide. She undertook postgraduate work at hospitals and clinics in Malaysia, New Guinea, London, Paris and New York. Cilento was a medical columnist, broadcaster, journalist and author of several books. Her interests lay in nutition, vitamin therapy, family planning and antenatal and child care. She founded the Queensland Mothercraft Assocation in 1930, and the Queensland branch of the Business and Professional Women's Club and was president of the Queensland Medical Women's Association (1938-1947). Lady Phyllis was married to the doctor and medical administrator, Sir Raphael Cilento.