Dame Elisabeth Murdoch Scholarship Lunch

Strictly speaking this was not a moderatorial function, but I was welcomed as the Moderator of the Presbyterian Church by the President of the Royal Children's Hospital Auxilliary, amongst a short list of distinguished guests that included the current Governor General, two of her predecessors and Dame Elisabeth herself who had passed her 100th birthday the previous week. This is a useful illustration of the fact that even when we might think we are being 'private citizens', others still perceive us in our representational role and we should welcome such opportunities to represent not just the church but our Lord.

The lunch served as an opportunity to celebrate Dame Elisabeth's birthday, but its real purpose was a fundraiser to establish a scholarship that will allow one nurse each year to travel internationally for an extended period of time to undertake research and / or learning in some world leading project, thus keeping children's nursing at the RCH at the forefront of 'worlds best practice'.

Dame Elisabeth has been involved in the RCH in various capacities for well over 70 years, including being the Chair of the Board of Management at a time when the Board was exclusively populated by women. As one of the speakers said, the Board at that time was undemocratic, unrepresentative, not exactly an 'equal opportunity' body, unskilled in either medicine or management and unaccountable to anyone but themselves - yet incredibly successful!

Prof Sandy Yule of the history department at Melbourne Uni delivered a fascinating summary of the history of the hospital, and the current Chairman of the Board and the CEO all gave interesting speeches, particularly paying homage to the ongoing work of the Nursing Auxilliary and the Foundation. Quentin Bryce delivered a very moving speech that linked together her own recent (the previous day) visit to bushfire affected areas with the tireless efforts of the full range of medical professions to serve the needs of an increasingly diverse population.

But the highlight was when Dame Elisabeth herself took the microphone (or rather it was taken to her) and very simply yet clearly thanked those who had established this new scholarship and organised the lunch. Oh to have such a sharp mind and clarity of thought and speech at 100 years old!

Former Governor General Dr Peter Hollingworth and his wife Ann were seated at our table, which was a nice opportunity to chat with him about the upcoming service at Scots' Church for the Day of National Mourning, at which I had asked him to preach in my absence.