Simon Crean (Hotham, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Regional Australia, Regional Development and Local Government) Share this | Hansard source

I wish to join with the chamber in remembering the long and full life of Dame Elisabeth Murdoch and to convey not only my condolences but those of my family to her family—in particular my mother, because the mutual interests of both mum and Dame Elisabeth brought them into regular contact over the years.

Dame Elisabeth has set a personal challenge for all of us in this chamber and in the broader community. She took her position—granted, it was a fortunate one, but she used her considerable skills and resources to make a difference by contributing to the life and wellbeing of her community. She did so with grace, humility and an enduring curiosity about the interesting people who made up that community.

It would take too long to recite all of the contributions that Dame Elisabeth made to our community over the 104 years of her life. But I will mention a number, to demonstrate the diversity of her interests: to health, medical research and academia as Life Governor of the Royal Women's Hospital, patron of the Murdoch Children's Research Institute and a member of the Patrons Council of the Epilepsy Foundation of Victoria; and to adults and children with disabilities, as patron and founding member of the EW Tipping Foundation and as a founding member of the Deafness Foundation of Victoria. To international relations and business: she was patron of the Australian-American Association Victoria, which was founded by her late husband. To heritage, and flora and fauna: Cruden Farm at Langwarrin is one of Australia's finest examples of landscape gardening. She also devoted herself to less popular causes such as prisoners, children in care, those battling mental illness and substance abuse.

I will come to her investment in arts organisations and artistic talent a little bit later, but Dame Elisabeth set the benchmark for how we can contribute to our community—whatever our financial and personal circumstances. Her passion and her commitment told us that volunteering and donating is not something you put off to next year or to better times; it is something that you do now.

Dame Elisabeth also made it abundantly clear to all that contributing her money and time and energy to a cause brought a rich return to her personally, as well as to the community—she in fact showed philanthropy could be fun. Each of us here can follow her path and learn the rewards of service.

So it is fitting that we honour her with this condolence motion. A few weeks back the Melbourne Recital Centre had more than 1,000 people come to the Elisabeth Murdoch Hall for its celebration of Dame Elisabeth's life. The deep interest and enjoyment of the arts, particularly music, led to her involvement in building some of our best arts companies. She supported the careers of many of our most talented performers and artists. She touched so many lives in the arts that it is no surprise the evening saw a full house.

It is also fitting that we remember her in that last week, because it was then that we announced the name of Australia's new agency for philanthropy, social investment and business partnership in the cultural sector. That agency, Creative Partnerships Australia, is charged with building a culture of giving in Australia, something that Dame Elisabeth taught us so much about. In a way, through that organisation we will be building on her example and helping more and more Australians make a personal contribution to their community.

Coming from Melbourne, Dame Elisabeth was an integral part of Victoria, and Victorians all knew her work well. My mother in particular enjoyed the opportunity to interact with her when she was a member of the women's association, raising money for acquisitions at the National Gallery of Victoria. It was again another of those mutual interests that brought them together.

Dame Elisabeth's longevity meant that she was able to see the impact of her philanthropy and her involvement. She could see what she was contributing to, and so many of the end results. More than most of us she knew that investing in the arts brings with it a significant dividend.

Dame Elisabeth received numerous honours throughout her life, including being made a Companion of the Order of Australia and a Dame Commander of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire. She had a long association with the Australian Ballet, Opera Australia, the Bell Shakespeare Theatre Company and the National Gallery of Victoria, of which she was the first female trustee. Dame Elisabeth was chair of the committee that established the Victorian Tapestry Workshop and a trustee and supporter of the establishment of the regional McClelland Gallery and Sculpture Park, along with many other arts groups and individuals.

She leaves a magnificent legacy, and it is incumbent upon all of us not only to respect her and pay condolences in her passing but, in respect for her, to continue to build upon so much of what she laid foundations for. I extend my sympathies to the Murdoch family. We will miss her but we will not miss her example. It is incumbent upon us to remember to build upon that example.

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