Cruden Garden gardener co-authors book on his experiences
MICHAEL Morrison worked tirelessly with Dame Elisabeth Murdoch for more than four decades to help the magnificent gardens at Cruden Farm flourish.
As he toiled in the bucolic surrounds, the dedicated gardener quietly kept a diary of his experiences working as the farm’s “number two gardener” alongside Dame Elisabeth.
And now Victorian garden lovers have a chance to share his devotion to the property through a new book, Cruden Farm Garden Diaries, which he co-authored with writer Lisa Clausen.
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Herald & Weekly Times chairman Penny Fowler, who is Dame Elisabeth’s granddaughter, was the driving force behind the book, and said it was crucial to preserve Cruden Farm for the future.
“Granny’s vision was for Cruden Farm to be enjoyed by all, today and forever more,” she said at Thursday’s book launch.
Plans have been drawn up to sell a portion of the land at Langwarrin in Melbourne’s southeast to ensure the much-loved farm remains open to the public, its gardens immaculately maintained.
The plans — which would see free public access to the property three days a week, and on weekends — will still have to be approved by Frankston council and the state government. A portion of the property will require rezoning to allow housing to be built on the block and fund the maintenance of the site.
“While there may be speculation of how this is achieved, the charitable trust set up to administer Cruden Farm is in the process of trying to secure it for future generations,” Mrs Fowler said.
“This will require that changes are made to the urban growth boundary — no easy task — and to sell off a small portion so we can add to our existing corpus and survive and thrive into the future.”
The new book shares stories of how the gardens blossomed due to green-thumbed Dame Elisabeth, who took a hands-on approach.
Morrison details how she once waded into a pond — wearing a dress and stockings — to help catch the fish so the pond could be repaired.
“She kicked off her shoes and got in. Previously to that, she’d said, ‘It’s not fair; I always have to leave when the fun’s being had’,” he said.
The book also reveals how Morrison’s own green thumb earned him the title of “Magic Michael”. He said: “If you wake up looking forward to coming to work, you’re very fortunate, and that’s what it’s been for me. It’s a very special place; Cruden Farm’s magic does affect most people.”
Co-author Clausen said she fell in love with Cruden Farm the first time she arrived.
“I feel like my connection with Cruden will go on ... it’s an addictive place, and that’s because of Dame Elisabeth and Michael,” she said.
“It’s such a compelling story, not just for people who like gardening, but for anyone who’s interested in the very basic questions of friendships and creative partnerships.”
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