The Gift of a Loreto Education

Judith (Judy) Murray (1952)

Earlier this year, we received a phone call from Helen Murray, niece of Loreto Toorak alumna Judith (Judy) Murray (1952), notifying us that a portion of her aunt’s estate would be gifted to the School for our Bursary Fund, Give a Girl a Dream.

As Helen shared, “it is only fitting that monies from Judy’s estate be bequeathed to Loreto, a place where Judy started her wonderful journey of her life of learning.”

Judy Murray left her birthplace of Daylesford after World War II to complete her education at Loreto Toorak, where she made lifelong friends and enjoyed some of the best days of her life. She continued to have contact with the School throughout her life. Judy spoke of her days at Mandeville Hall with joy and a love of learning, especially the arts, History and English. After completing Year 12, Judy commenced law school at the University of Melbourne.

She left Melbourne in 1960 and spent six weeks on a boat to Europe with her friend Denise Van Baer, also a Loreto Toorak alumna. Denise remembers Judy as a wonderful travel partner with many memorable adventures:

“While travelling through Italy we were passing Lake Trasimene when Judy suddenly exclaimed, “this is where Hannibal came with his elephants”. Judy had studied ancient history with Mother Brigid. She was so excited to be in a place which she had learnt about at school. She wrote to Mother Brigid telling her about this incident and her thrill at actually seeing the place where Hannibal had battled with the Roman army. Judy received a reply from Mother Brigid who was delighted to have heard from Judy and told her that she had read the letter to her then current ancient history class.”

Judy remained in London for the rest of her life. She worked as a Personal Assistant to numerous Members of Parliament, a job she loved and treasured. By this stage she knew her love of all things English would keep her in the UK.

Although Judy was a private person, the Houses of Parliament were her public stage upon which she conducted her career and public life. She was a socialist and served a number of labour MPs in her long career in Westminster. With her vast knowledge of parliamentary life, procedures and her very acute nuance of the political landscape in the House, she was a great asset to all her MPs.

Judy continued to travel and enjoy the arts in London and Europe. She opened her door to many Loreto alumnae in their travels to London and her tour through the Houses of Parliament was legendary to all who accompanied her.

Judy died in London in January 2018 at the age of 83.

Judith Murray (1952), Denise van Baer (Molloy, 1952), Gillian O’Loghlin (Goulding, 1952), Serita Frederico,(1952), Mary Clatworthy (Byrne, 1952)

Loreto Toorak was heartened by Judy’s lifelong connection to her school and her resulting legacy in assisting future students to obtain a Loreto education. We would have loved to have had the opportunity to thank her personally.

If you too are interested in assisting the School with its commitment to opening wide the gates to a transformative education by way of planned giving or bequests, please contact us at the details below.

Judy Murray at Phillip Island, January 2002

Louise McNamara (Whelan, 1982), Engagement Officer – Bequests and Endowments louise.mcnamara@loretotoorak.vic.edu.au +61 3 9823 8149