As Mother’s Day approaches, the delicate yellow-orange Dame Elisabeth standard rose will be doing double duty: not only growing to delight the green-thumbs who plant it in their gardens, but also to help raise funds for the Murdoch Children’s Research Institute (MCRI), one of the nation’s premier facilities searching for cures for the diseases and ailments that most commonly affect our kids.
As part of its annual Mother’s Day Appeal, the Institute is encouraging supporters to hold a garden party fundraiser in May.
To celebrate the life of Dame Elisabeth, two generations of mothers and daughters were brought together by The Weekly to share their reflections on the importance of giving back and lessons learned from the most important woman in their life.
If you would like to support the Dame Elisabeth Murdoch Rose Mother’s Day Appeal or to host a garden party, visit mcri.edu.au/mothersday.
Dame Marie Bashir, Professor Kathryn North, Dame Quentin Bryce, Lisa Wilkinson and Sarah Murdoch all came together to celebrate the bond and love between mother and daughter.
Dame Quentin Bryce, Lisa Wilkinson and Sarah Murdoch agree that research into diseases that affect Australian kids is vital and take inspiration from Dame Elisabeth’s generosity of spirit.
“My mother was a force in my life,” says Professor Kathryn North, director of the MCRI, “A fierce advocate of equal opportunity, she drilled into me from an early age that I could achieve anything I put my mind to.”
“She would say to us as we got older, if you have to cross the street to help someone in need, you ought to,” says Dame Marie Bashir, a former NSW Governor, “So many of us are so fortunate to give back, as Dame Elisabeth did. Philanthropy is the hallmark of a civilised country.”
Dame Quentin, Sarah Murdoch and Professor Kathryn North chat together behind the scenes.
Sarah Murdoch and Dame Quentin Bryce.
Our shoot, featured in our May issue, was shot in the courtyards of The Royal Children’s Hospital in Melbourne.
If you would like to support the Dame Elisabeth Murdoch Rose Mother’s Day Appeal or to host a garden party, visit mcri.edu.au/mothersday.
