[GandalfTheGrey]

While I despise the Murdoch's, she seemed like a nice old lady.

Dame Elisabeth Murdoch, who has died at the age of 103, has been remembered as a visionary philanthropist who leaves an unprecedented legacy of charitable works.

The Murdoch family matriarch, who donated millions of dollars to the causes of sick children and the arts, died at her Cruden Farm home on the outskirts of Melbourne last night.
Dame Elisabeth Murdoch


Appointed a Dame Commander of the British Empire in 1963, she supported more than 100 charities and organisations, and had worked with Melbourne's Royal Children's Hospital since 1933.

Prime Minister Julia Gillard led the tributes this morning, extending her condolences to the Murdoch family, including media baron Rupert, Dame Elisabeth's son.

"Dame Elisabeth Murdoch lived a great Australian life," Ms Gillard said in a statement.

"Her example of kindness, humility and grace was constant. She was not only generous, she led others to generosity. Australia's children and Australia's artists have lost one of their greatest benefactors."

Victorian Premier Ted Baillieu said Dame Elisabeth would be remembered as one of the most wonderful Victorians of all time.
Audio: Dame Elisabeth Murdoch dies aged 103 (AM)

"[She is] someone who's reached out and cared for communities of all shapes and all sizes, and she's done it with a wonderful smile and a sense of grace and dignity and unpretentiousness," he said.

"There's absolutely no doubt she's one of the most admired Victorians in history.

"There are so many institutions that have benefited from her affection and her understanding and her deep devotion," he added.

"Whether it's the Royal Children's Hospital, or the Murdoch Institute, or schools, or the gallery, or the [Australian] Tapestry Workshop, or the museum, or the library, or so many local institutions as well - she has made a contribution which is unprecedented.

"She's done it all with wit and charm."
A floral tribute lies outside Cruden Farm. Photo: A floral tribute with a handwritten card outside Cruden Farm this morning (AAP: Julian Smith)

Former premier Jeff Kennett also paid his respects, telling ABC News Breakfast Dame Elisabeth was a truly remarkable woman.

"Because Dame Elisabeth has been a constant in so many of our lives and you knew her for her dignity and her charity, you forget that her life was not always easy," he said.

"She had to struggle to bring up her four children. With the passage of time, so many of your friends and some family members pre-decease you.

"She has had to live through all of those experiences but has done so with extraordinary dignity."

Mr Kennett said Dame Elisabeth did not take her wealth lightly, and committed herself to sharing her good fortune and time.

"Tens of thousands of people will feel a sense of loss today," he said.

"Many organisations will have lost not only a benefactor, but an individual who gave their organisation that extra clout in terms of recognition because of her personal association."
Video: Jeff Kennett says Dame Elisabeth's death leaves 'hole in Australian life' (ABC News)

Medical patron

Dame Elisabeth has also been remembered for her work with the Royal Children's Hospital.

She had been associated with the hospital since 1933, when she joined the committee of management at the age of 24.

The hospital's chief executive, Christine Kilpatrick, said her contribution had been outstanding.

"The Royal Children's Hospital we know today as a leading paediatric hospital in this state, and indeed Australia - and it's her contribution that led the way for that happening," she said.

"Her major contribution was the foresight to realise we needed a substantial stand-alone paediatric hospital in Royal Park, and that occurred of course in 1963."

The Murdoch Childrens Research Institute has remembered Dame Elisabeth as a visionary.

She helped establish the institute, then known as Murdoch Institute, in 1986.

The institute's acting director Sheena Reilly says her work was invaluable.

"I can't tell you how important it is. Dame Elisabeth set up a tradition of philanthropy for the institute and many of her other causes as well," she said.

"Together with Professor David Danks, they had this vision of genetics being important for the health and wellbeing of children in the future.

"So she was a real visionary in what the future might be and how we could do outstanding research to improve the health of children."
Video: Christine Kilpatrick reflects on Dame Elisabeth's legacy (ABC News)

Passion for the arts

Dame Elisabeth supported the Arts Centre Melbourne for more than 15 years, becoming an honorary lifetime member in 2004.

The centre's chief executive Judith Isherwood says Dame Elisabeth will be sadly missed by the arts community.

"Her boundless passion for the arts and her determination to make a difference was felt by everyone who met her, and she will be remembered with admiration and a great deal of fondness as one of Australia's greatest arts champions," she said.

"She was a dedicated, generous and passionate patron of the arts who was to be seen continuing her enjoyment until very recently.

"There are many, many people whose lives have been touched by this remarkable woman. We may never see her like again."

Dame Elisabeth was a founding member of the Victorian College of the Arts, and has been remembered as a driving force for the college.

VCA director Sue Baker says her support continued until her death.

"It was her great commitment and vision for the arts that really established the VCA and [she] has given extraordinary support ever since, right up until her hundredth year when she still attended the Keith and Elisabeth Murdoch travelling scholarship exhibition," she said.

"Not only did she come to every exhibition and prize-giving, she would often support the students out of that particular time.

"She was a remarkable woman, not just her giving, but her commitment and her real, genuine interest in the arts."

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2012-12-06/t ... ch/4412054

[Drlee]

The joy of a life well lived.

May she rest in peace.

[youngian]

What is interesting about her is she just the kind of upper class patricianist establishment type that 'man-of-the-people' Rupert has spent his life affecting to despise. Although in reality his real beef is that generation weren't ruthless enough in maintaining and consolidating their class interests.