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In the frames
AN exhibition of photographers showcasing images of modern Frankston has opened at the FRANK gallery this month. Exhibition entrants Kristen Kinstler, left, Susan Young and Netta Ditchburn are among the photographers whose snaps are on display. See Page 6. Picture: Gary Sissons
Cruden Farm plan on way Neil Walker neil@baysidenews.com.au CHANGE may be coming to Cruden Farm amid signs a property developer is showing an interest in the Langwarrin homestead. The idyllic 54-hectare estate was Dame Elisabeth Murdoch’s home for eight decades before her death in 2012 at the age of 103.
Dame Murdoch was the mother of News Corp founder Rupert Murdoch. The estate was transferred into the name of Cruden Custodian Limited in 2013 and its trustees include several grandchildren of Dame Murdoch but not the media mogul himself. Its gardens are sometimes open to the public and the estate hosts community and charity events at the behest of Dame Murdoch who was a renowned philanthropist.
Cruden Farm director Cara Simpson confirmed “a proposal” will be submitted to Frankston Council in early April. “The intention of the proposal is to secure the long-term future of Cruden Farm so that it can be enjoyed by the people of Victoria in line with the wishes of Dame Elisabeth Murdoch,” she said in a statement. Newspaper magnate Keith Murdoch bought Cruden Farm in 1928 as a wedding present for Dame Murdoch.
Brighton-based property developer Hamish Macdonald registered the business name Cruden Farm in January this year under an entity named UEG Pty Ltd. Mr Macdonald is a former Geelong Grammar student and University of Melbourne graduate according to a LinkedIn profile and previously worked in executive roles at development firms Lend Lease and Becton. He is also a nonexecutive director of VicUrban, a state
government development agency. “From late 2008 to early 2012 Hamish had a contract based role with the Victorian Department of Human Services,” the LinkedIn profile states. “In this role, Hamish had responsibility for the creation of any new social housing in Victoria and the ongoing maintenance of the existing portfolio of 73,000 public housing dwellings.” Calls to numbers linked with UEG Pty Ltd were not returned. Cont Page 9