Malcolm Menelaus was born in Melbourne, Australia, on 11 October 1930, where his father, Benbow Menelaus, was a banker. His mother was Gladys née Wills. He was educated at Scotch College, Melbourne, and Melbourne University, where he qualified in 1954. After two years at Prince Henry's Hospital, Melbourne, he came to England to train in orthopaedics at the Rowley Bristow Orthopaedic Hospital at Pyrford, and at the Birmingham Accident Hospital. On returning to Melbourne, he was appointed orthopaedic surgeon at the Royal Children's Hospital, Melbourne. There he developed a special interest in, and wrote the standard textbook on, the orthopaedic management of children with spina bifida. He was President of the Australian Orthopaedic Association. In 1957 he married Margaret Patrick, a doctor, by whom he had two daughters, Jane and Sarah. He was a talented painter and enjoyed sailing and travel. He died on 12 September 2000.