The Australian Women's Register

Dame Pattie talks about her family background; meeting Sir Robert Menzies and her views on her role as wife to the Prime Minister. She then talks about her wartime involvement with the Women’s Hospital in Melbourne and as President of the Auxiliaries and President of the Welfare Unit. Dame Pattie then discusses entertaining at the Lodge and difficulties in its running as well as security problems and their effect on the family. She then talks about travelling overseas; friendship with Sir Winston Churchill and his family and her memories of early Canberra. Dame Pattie then discusses her public speaking as well as that of her husband and crowd reactions. She then describes Walmer Castle near Dover where she and Sir Robert lived for a few months each year while Sir Robert was Lord Warden of the Cinque Ports.