Pattie Menzies

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Robert and Pattie Menzies in the 1940s

Dame Pattie Maie Menzies, GBE (2 March 1899 - 30 August 1995), was the wife of Australia’s longest serving Prime Minister, Sir Robert Menzies.

Menzies was born Pattie Maie Leckie at Alexandra, Victoria, the eldest daughter of John Leckie, a Deakinite Liberal who was elected the member for Benambra in the Victorian Legislative Assembly in 1913. He won the federal seat of Indi in 1917. Pattie usually accompanied her father on electorate tours until he lost his seat in 1919.

Leckie attended Fintona Girls' School in Melbourne, and during this time saw Robert Menzies, but they were not formally introduced until 1919. After they met Menzies became a regular visitor at her father’s home, and on 27 September, 1920 they were married at Kew Presbyterian Church in Melbourne. Soon after their marriage the Menzies bought the house in Howard Street, Kew that became their family home for 25 years. They had four children, one of whom died at birth.

In 1954 Menzies was appointed Dame Grand Cross of the Order of the British Empire. The official citation read: "In recognition for her years of incessant and unselfish performance of public duty in hospital work, in visiting, addressing and encouraging many thousands of women in every State of Australia, including very remote areas, and in the distinguished representation of Australia on a number of occasions overseas."

Dame Pattie outlived her husband, who died in 1978, and two of her sons. In 1992 she moved back to Melbourne from Canberra to live with her daughter.

In the 1967 America's Cup challenge, the Australian syndicate headed headed by Sir Frank Packer raced an International 12-metre class racing yacht which was named Dame Pattie in her honour.