Australia’s business and political elite gather at Melbourne State Library
Australia’s business and political elite gathered heavily on Saturday evening to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the Murdoch Children’s Research Institute at the State Library of Melbourne.
The pediatric medical research organization was founded in 1986 by Professor David Danks and Dame Elisabeth Murdoch, grandmother of News Corp chairman Lachlan Murdoch, with major support from media baron son Rupert Murdoch.
Sarah Murdoch, who co-chairs the institute, arrived from the back entrance and greeted guests in the lobby. Her husband and her 95-year-old father, who has not visited Australia since 2024, were also absent on the evening.
Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan arrived late but posed for a photo with Sarah Murdoch. His political rival, Victorian Liberal leader Jess Wilson, refused to speak when he arrived. Deputy Prime Minister Ben Carroll came smiling and offered to take a photo.
The institute, which includes researchers working to better understand and treat more than 100 childhood diseases, is hosted by the University of Melbourne and the Royal Children’s Hospital Melbourne.
Saturday’s event included a group of senior News Corp executives past and present, with local executive chairman Michael Miller offering to bring snacks during the event.
Age And Sydney Morning Herald approached guests to get comments and took footage from outside the event.
Eddie McGuire, former chief executive of Nine (which owns this masthead) and one-time chairman of Collingwood Football Club, greeted journalists as he entered the pitch. Larry Kestelman, co-founder of the Dodo internet and owner of the National Basketball League, put aside the frustrations of dealing with cranky team owners and attended with his wife, Anita Pahor.
Former News Corp Australia managing director Julian Clarke and senior editor Peter Blunden arrived early; Former Foxtel chief Siobhan McKenna, who was once an advisor to Lachlan Murdoch, arrived immediately with her husband James Flintoft.
Billionaire Heloise Pratt, from the manufacturing dynasty, arrived with her partner Jon Stevens, the rocker who fronted Noiseworks and then INXS.
Melbourne influencer Penny Fowler, Rupert Murdoch’s niece and also chairman of the hospital’s Good Friday Appeal fundraising campaign, arrived around the same time as wealthy retailer Solomon Lew.
Collingwood star Nick Daicos was one of the last to arrive.
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Calum Jaspan is a media writer for The Sydney Morning Herald and The Age, based in Melbourne. Reach him securely on Signal @calumjaspan.10Connect with: X or email.
