Elisabeth Murdoch facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Elisabeth Murdoch
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Murdoch in Melbourne, May 2005
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| Born |
Elisabeth Joy Greene
8 February 1909 |
| Died | 5 December 2012 (aged 103) Melbourne, Australia
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| Nationality | Australian |
| Occupation | Philanthropist |
| Spouse(s) | |
| Children | 4, including Rupert Murdoch |
| Relatives | Murdoch family |
Dame Elisabeth Joy Murdoch (born Greene; 8 February 1909 – 5 December 2012) was an Australian woman known for her amazing charity work. She was a very important member of the Murdoch family.
Elisabeth was married to Sir Keith Murdoch, who was a famous Australian newspaper publisher. She was also the mother of Rupert Murdoch, who owns many media companies around the world. In 1963, she was given a special award, the Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire (DBE), because of all her charity work in Australia and other countries.
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Contents
Early Life and Family
Elisabeth Murdoch was born in Melbourne, Australia, on 8 February 1909. She was the youngest of three daughters. Her parents were Marie Grace de Lancey (Forth) and Rupert Greene.
She went to school at St Catherine's School and Clyde School. In 1928, she married Keith Murdoch. He was 23 years older than her. When he passed away in 1952, she received most of his money.
Elisabeth and Keith had four children. Their children were Rupert Murdoch, Janet Calvert-Jones AO, Anne Kantor, and Helen Handbury. When she passed away, she had 77 living family members, including grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Helping Others: Philanthropy
Elisabeth Murdoch spent her life helping others. This is called philanthropy. Even before she was married, she volunteered for the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (RSPCA). This group helps animals.
In 1933, Dame Elisabeth joined the management committee of the Royal Children's Hospital in Melbourne. She later became its president from 1954 to 1965. She worked hard to make sure children received the best care.
She was also a Life Governor of the Royal Women's Hospital. She supported the Murdoch Children's Research Institute, which studies children's health. Elisabeth was also a founding member of groups like the EW Tipping Foundation, which helps people with disabilities, and the Deafness Foundation of Victoria.
Elisabeth was the first woman to be on the council of trustees for the National Gallery of Victoria. She also helped start the Australian Tapestry Workshop. Her beautiful garden, "Cruden Farm," in Langwarrin, is one of Australia's best. It is often open for people to visit.
Special Awards and Honours
Elisabeth Murdoch received many awards for her dedication to helping others.
Awards and Medals
- In 1961, she was made a Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE). This was for her work as president of the Royal Children's Hospital.
- In 1963, she was made a Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire (DBE). This was for her big role in building a new children's hospital in Melbourne.
- In 1989, she received the Companion of the Order of Australia (AC). This is one of Australia's highest honours, given for her services to the community.
- In 2001, she received the Centenary Medal. This was for her support of the arts in Australia.
Other Honours
- She was given an honorary degree from the University of Melbourne in 1983. This was to recognise her contributions to research, arts, and charity.
- In 2000, a special portrait of her was made for the National Portrait Gallery in Canberra.
- A new type of rose was named after her in 2001, called the "Elisabeth Murdoch" rose.
- A Tasmanian plant species, Boronia elisabethiae, was also named after her because of her generous donations to the Royal Botanic Gardens, Melbourne.
- In 2003, she was given the key to the City of Melbourne.
- In 2004, a high school in Langwarrin was renamed Elisabeth Murdoch College to honour her community work.
- She was named the Victorian of the Year in 2005 when she was 96 years old.
- In 2009, the main performance hall at the Melbourne Recital Centre was named in her honour.
- In 2010, a new boarding house for girls at Geelong Grammar School was also named after her.
Death
Elisabeth Murdoch passed away peacefully in her sleep on 5 December 2012. She was 103 years old. She died at her home, Cruden Farm, in Langwarrin, Victoria.
