Vale Dame Elisabeth Murdoch. "My grandmother took me to play in Dame Elisabeth's garden as a little girl, on many occasions. I remember delighting in the discoveries made, finding birds sitting on eggs in their nests, all kinds of insects and butterflies, the most amazing flowers and majestic trees...it was like heaven on earth! I know these rich connections with nature and the direct experiences had, during my formative years, have influenced the work l am doing as an adult, connecting children with nature. Dame Elisabeth had a lifelong commitment to improving children's health and wellbeing. She annually invited our local 'Natured Kids' outdoor playgroup to play at Cruden farm, and has always supported my work with families and their young children outdoors. Most recently helping to fund our 'Play Outside Australia' project. Dame Elisabeth delighted in seeing her garden full of children, up until recently,would come and chat to the families. After our last visit to play in her magical garden, she was less mobile, so we sent her copious photographs of our Cruden farm adventures, and her lovely assistant Hennie, shared them with her via a laptop. This gave Dame Elisabeth great joy. Dame Elisabeth demonstrated a lifetime of superior leadership and commitment to children's health, a very fitting tribute, is the tapestry hanging in the foyer of the new Royal Children's Hospital, commissioned in her name, titled "The Games Children Play" It is worth a look if you are passing by. Dame Elisabeth, we love you, we miss you. Thank you for sharing. Your gifts were many. You will live in our hearts forever. A life well lived. Thank you. Narelle Debenham" P.S. Last month l took this photograph in her garden of a beautiful butterfly. As l watched it drying its wings and sipping nectar from the flowers, my childhood 'nature play ' memories at Cruden farm came flooding back!
