Panckridge Library
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Elisabeth Murdoch
House Opening Former student, past parent and current great grandparent, Dame Elisabeth Murdoch AC DBE (Cl’26) officially opened a new girls’ boarding house at the School’s Corio Campus on 24 April. The 101-year-old matriarch of the Murdoch family said she was thrilled to open the boarding house, which has been named in her honour. Principal, Stephen Meek, said the establishment of Elisabeth Murdoch House was a significant event in the history of Geelong Grammar School and its ongoing commitment to co-education. “It was decided that the new House should be named in recognition of a woman who has contributed significantly to the life and heritage of Australia and who is also a treasured member of the Geelong Grammar School community,” Mr Meek said. “A former student, past parent and current great grandparent, Dame Elisabeth Murdoch was the natural choice,” he said. “Her example of a life dedicated to her community is one which all those associated with Geelong Grammar School and Elisabeth Murdoch House hold dear.” 6
Dame Elisabeth is widely acknowledged as one of Australia’s greatest philanthropists. She was born in 1909 and educated at Clyde School (1922-26). She married Keith Murdoch (later Sir Keith) in 1928 and has had children, grandchildren and great grandchildren attend Geelong Grammar School over the past 60 years. Dame Elisabeth’s philanthropic interests are numerous and long-standing. She joined the management committee of the Royal Children’s Hospital in 1933, where she became involved in fundraising and initiated the Good Friday Appeal. She was the first female trustee of the National Gallery of Victoria and has been involved with numerous other organisations, including the Murdoch Children’s Research Institute, the Australian Ballet, Cottage By the Sea, and the Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research.
1970s through amalgamation with The Hermitage and Clyde Girls’ Schools. This allowed the School to prepare students for the dynamic of the modern world, enabling boys and girls to live and learn alongside each other. The opening of Elisabeth Murdoch House underlines the continuing strengths of boarding at the School and is further evidence of the School’s commitment to co-education – in 2010 42% of the School’s students are girls. 1-4. Dame Elisabeth Murdoch AC DBE (Cl’26) was the centre of attention at the official opening of Elisabeth Murdoch House. She is pictured with (3) her grandson, Deputy Chairman of Council Paddy Handbury (M’72), and (4) the entire 2010 cohort of Elisabeth Murdoch House
Local MP and Old Geelong Grammarian, Richard Marles (P’84), joined Geelong Grammar School Principal, Stephen Meek, to officially open the Panckridge Library extension and Bender Centre shade structure on Tuesday 20 July. Mr Meek said the extension of the Panckridge Library had created a dynamic learning environment for the School’s younger students to discover and explore. “The extension of the Panckridge Library enhances an important learning environment for our students,” Mr Meek said. “It provides a modern, intimate, and dedicated library space for reading and research, as well as creating additional space for group work.”
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The original Middle School Library was renamed the Panckridge Library in 1987 in recognition of the outstanding and lengthy contribution of Mr W.J.P (Bill) Panckridge, who retired from the staff of the School at the end of that year. A former student (FB’46) and House Captain of Francis Brown House, Mr Panckridge was a member of Geelong Grammar School staff for 36 years and had a long association with the Middle School Library. Fittingly, Mr Panckridge was also Mr Marles’ Year 7 German teacher. The Bender Centre, an all-weather Hockey and Tennis Centre named in memory of Mr Norman Ernest Bender (1924-200), was officially opened in 2001. The Shade Structure is a valuable addition to the Centre, providing shelter for students, coaches and spectators. Mr Bender (Ge’41) was a member of the School Council from 196880, a long-standing member of the Bostock House Committee, and had four sons attend the School from 1957-82. He was also the chairman and managing director of Benders Busways, a family-owned bus company, and an important link between the School and its local community.
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Both projects were jointly funded by the Federal Government’s Building the Education Revolution (BER) programme. 1. Grace Creati (Yr6 Hi) spoke at the opening of the Panckridge Library extension 2. Year 5 teacher Pam Barton is flanked by School Captains, Hannah Robertson (Yr12 Cl) and Charlie Vickers-Willis (Yr12 FB) 3. L to R: Member of Council, Helene Bender, with Bill Panckridge (FB’46) 4. L to R: Bill Panckridge (FB’46) with Principal Stephen Meek, Local MP Richard Marles (P’84), and Chairman of Council Jeremy Kirkwood (FB’79)
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Geelong Grammar School reinforced its reputation as a pioneer of modern education by becoming co-educational in the early
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