Leslie Nicholson Murdoch 1865-1948
"Murrayfield" Glenorchy
A Glenorchy Pioneer of the 19th Century

2.

Among the medals won by Murrayfield during its heyday are the following:

• Soap & Candles 1885 Hobart Exhibition

• 1879 Sydney Exhibition

• 1879 Industrial Exhibition

• 1851 Great Industrial Exhibition, London (honourable mention)

• Cider 1900 1st prize Melbourne Exhibition

• ditto, Silver Medal Melbourne

• 1909 Silver Medal R.A. Show Sydney

• 1908 Silver Medal, Melbourne

The advent of Federation in 1901 proved the death knell of Murrayfield estate and it went steadily into decline. Free trade between the States took its toll. In 1901 Leslie Murdoch was appointed Secretary of the Royal Agricultural Society, an office he was to hold until 1944. At his appointment, the Show was being held at Lords Hill facing Augusta Rd where the Friends School now stands. In 1904 the present Show site was purchased and Mr. Murdoch and his committee were faced with the daunting task of developing the site. The foundations of the present Show were laid by Mr. Murdoch over his 41 years as Secretary.

Mr. & Mrs. Murdoch were also involved in Community affairs. Mr. Murdoch was a Glenorchy Councillor, a member of the Water Trust and the Horticultural Society and an office bearer of St Mathews Presbyterian Church.

Mrs. Murdoch took a keen interest in the Red Cross Society and the Mothercraft Home. She took an active part in the establishment of the women's industrial section of the Show and was a keen horticulturist.

As time progressed the property of Murrayfield reached the stage where it was no longer a working property and sections were gradually sold off. The residue of the property was sold with 5 acres of land in November 1950 for £5,850 and hence passed out of the Murdoch family. Mr. Leslie Murdoch died on January 8, 1948.

There were six children from the marriage.

• Mary Murdoch 1892-1983

• Edith Murdoch 1894-1985

• Jean Murdoch 1896-1932

• William Munro Murdoch 1898-1959

• Eileen Murdoch 1899-1973

• Leslie Henry Murdoch 1902-1979