Posted by Tony THOMAS
Rotary Central Melbourne (‘RCM’), Rotary Echuca-Moama (‘REM’) and Bearbrass Probus had a great social day at Cruden Farm, Langwarrin on  Monday  March 1.
 
In all 73 attended, members, partners and friends. The outing to the late Dame Elisabeth Murdoch’s property was instigated by REM’s Teresa Carlson and implemented largely by sausage sizzle maestro, Frank O’Brien and TryBooking guru Rob Hines.
 
It was a real experience to see the gorgeous Lemon Scented Gumtree-lined drive and the white-colonnaded “Gone with the Wind” style homestead. Around the corner by the stables, sausages and hamburgers were flipped by Frank and Peter Duras, served by Pauline O’Brien and REM’s Mike Stansbury and we lunched under gracious shade-umbrellas.
 
Best treat was a talk by Dame Elisabeth’s former private secretary Hennie Lanting (Teresa’s cousin) who worked for Dame Elisabeth from 2003-2012. Hennie told how the fabulously wealthy Dame Elisabeth didn’t know the price of a litre of milk or a parking slot in the city, but would spend all day answering letters that were seeking donations for all sorts of causes. Hennie, on typewriter, would take dictation for 40 or so letters onto the finest quality paper plus cheques, while Dame E. would hand address the envelopes. Sometimes Hennie would ask, “Shall we give this charity $25?” and Dame E. might reply, “Yes, that’s right. $25,000.”
 
Dame Elisabeth had no idea that after ten years her pay rate for secretaries was a “bit obsolete” and Hennie eventually wangled her pay rise after her boss responded, “Well what’s the going rate?”. Dame Elisabeth was such a workaholic that morning and afternoon tea was always skipped, even during Bridge days with her friends. She would typically start her day at 5.30am with a briefing of the head gardener.
 
The only security in past years was that doors were locked. A security light system was installed but possums kept triggering it so it was abandoned. Today there is good security on the property.
 
Dame Elisabeth never expressed the slightest interest in new escorts after being married for 24 years to Sir Keith Murdoch. Sir Keith, as a 40-year-old, courted the mere schoolgirl at Clyde School Woodend. He married her at 19 when he was 42. She was widowed in 1952 and took the view for the next 50+ years that Sir Keith’s charms could never be surpassed.
 
Sometimes Hennie would answer the phone and Rupert was on the line. Dame Elisabeth would say to Hennie “lovely dear” and retire for a long chat. The Murdoch family units would often holiday on the property, with the younger generation enjoying the family accommodation units. But, being all strong-minded and confident, when it came to decisions the family could “never agree on anything”.
 
Thanks again to organisers for a perfect day!