At Royal Botanic Gardens Cranbourne on Howson Hill sits a park bench with a plaque displaying this inscription:
“In memory of Kate and James Menzies
From humble beginnings in Jeparit
Proud parents of Leslie, Frank, Robert, Isabel and Sydney”
The ‘Robert’ mentioned in the inscription is the late Right Honourable Sir Robert Menzies, the longest standing Prime Minister of Australia holding office from 1939 to 1941 and 1949 to 1966.
His niece, Margaret Clarke made the dedication to acknowledge the significant contribution of her uncle and other members of the family during that time period.
“We were, and still are, a very close family. Uncle Bob often visited our house and I remember him as an affectionate man.
“I was a bit of a chatterbox as a child, and at our wedding he made a speech describing me as a “not unvocal youth”. I’ve learned to quieten down a bit I think,” she laughed.
She said that other family members also held notable positions during that time.
“Leslie was an Australian Trade Commissioner, Frank was Crown Solicitor for Victoria, and Isabel was a pioneering wife with the Soldier Settlement Scheme at Redcliffs.
“James their father was a coach-painter and Kate was a wonderful mother and fully involved in their local community.
“So, I thought it would be nice to have a seat remembering them,” she said.
Margaret, 81 and her husband Richard, 84 live on the Mornington Peninsula and visit the seat as often as they can.
Margaret, a horticultural therapist, was recruited to become a master gardener (since restyled as garden ambassadors) when the gardens opened in 2006.
Since then Margaret and her husband Richard have been active on the Friends committee.
Howson Hill displays the scrubby forms of the Mallee Eucalypts so typical of the Wimmera and the small town of Jeparit where the Menzies family ran the local store.
In dedicating a seat in this area, Margaret realised the fitting relationship between the Mallee Eucalypts, the family and their love of the Royal Botanic Gardens Cranbourne.
Imogen Henry, donor services officer, Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria says that seat dedications are a wonderful way to remember loved ones in a beautiful setting.
“Cranbourne Gardens is a beautiful place to commemorate a loved one in amongst the native Australian flora, and the pleasant sound of birds passing by.
“Each dedication can be particular to your family and your desired message, and they can be dedicated to anybody,” she said.
Seat dedications cost $8,000 for 10 years. For further information please call Imogen Henry, Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria, on 9252 2383.
