The Lodge
The Lodge turned into a beautiful house, and I loved living there… – Zara Holt
Built in 1926–7 as a ‘temporary residence,’ the Lodge has played an integral part in the lives of many Prime Minister’s wives. If its walls could talk they would tell of a place that has been the stage for family births and celebrations, and moments of sadness and death. Several Prime Ministerial couples have chosen not to live in the Lodge, seeing it as a hindrance, while others have moved in and turned it in to a home. The numerous renovations the Lodge has undergone over the years are testament to the unique personalties and tastes of its various tenants.
Uta Uta painting
When Tamie Fraser moved in to the Lodge in 1975, she expected the house to reflect its official status, ‘I thought there’d be furniture steeped in history, paintings which could tell a thousand stories of leaders past, but there was nothing. It wasn’t even a particularly Australian atmosphere.’
In order to rectify the situation, Tamie began the Australiana Fund. Its role is to purchase items of historical significance for official residences. An Uta Uta painting was purchased for the Lodge in 1977.
Zara Holt at the Lodge with euphoniums. Image courtesy of the National Archives of Australia.
Zara Holt with euphoniums
Zara Holt undertook major interior renovations during her time as chatelaine of the Lodge, describing colour as her main ally. ‘Redecorating the Lodge was interesting and it was fun, although it was a great deal of work…For the bedroom I chose a bright shocking pink Scaparelli silk wallpaper and a white glazed ceiling’. In this photo she poses with her newly installed euphoniums, which made up part of her redecoration.
Billiard cues given to Sir Robert and Dame Pattie by Walter Lindrum.
Billiard Cues
Pattie Menzies lived at the Lodge for over 18 years, and enjoyed her time there immensely. She made numerous renovations to the building, including removing the additional bedrooms used by the Lyons, modernising the kitchen and heating system and installing new carpets and curtains. Sir Robert would try to come home for lunch every day.
These billiard cues were given to Sir Robert and Dame Pattie by Walter Lindrum, who taught them billiards at the Lodge. The Menzies would often play billiards together at lunch time.
