Picnic At Hanging Rock star Anne Lambert joins battle to keep historic Martindale Hall in public hands

ANNE Lambert, whose haunting performance as Miranda in Australian film Picnic at Hanging Rock shot her to stardom, has joined the battle to keep iconic Martindale Hall in public hands.

Anne Lambert as Miranda in a scene from the classic 1975 Australian film Picnic at Hanging Rock. Picture: Supplied

• Fight to keep historic SA mansion in public hands
• Consortium wants to buy Martindale Hall to build posh resort
• Clare Valley icon Martindale Hall to close and may be sold

ANNE Lambert, whose haunting performance as Miranda in Australian film Picnic at Hanging Rock shot her to stardom, has joined the battle to keep iconic Martindale Hall in public hands.

The National Trust of SA has recruited the former screen siren as an ally in an escalation of its campaign to take over management of the publicly-owned Clare Valley property, which was central to the 1975 Peter Weir classic, and defeat a rival proposal to turn the 136-year-old estate into a private resort.

Ms Lambert, who was a teenager when she played schoolgirl Miranda in Weir’s critically-acclaimed mystery drama, on Sunday made an emotional return to Martindale Hall for the first time in 41 years and called on the State Government to turn management over to the Trust.

“I felt that if I let myself, I would have cried,” the 60-year-old said of again sighting the imposing Georgian-style mansion.

“It represents such a special memory for me. I think it is worth protecting, it’s part of my story but it’s part of such a much bigger story of South Australia.

Anne Lambert, who played Miranda in the film Picnic at Hanging Rock, in front of Martindale Hall. Part of the movie was filmed there. Pic: Tom Huntley

“We need to look after these special places, we need to keep our stories.”

In May, the Sunday Mail revealed that the Trust had lodged an unsolicited bid with the Government to take over the management of the 32-room state heritage-listed mansion and its 19ha grounds.

Under the uncosted proposal, the estate would become a new gallery space for international and national art exhibitions, feature an adventure playground and a re-created 19th century Victorian pleasure garden.

It would be underpinned by a year-long schedule of events and festivals bringing up to 100,000 tourists to the region within seven years.

The Trust says its proposal would guarantee public access in contrast to that of wine identities Warren Randall and Warrick Duthy, whom under the banner of the Martindale Hall Partnership, last year lodged a bid to potentially buy the property to allow a five-star health retreat.

The cast of Picnic at Hanging Rock outside Martindale Hall.

Martindale Hall, built for pastoralist Edward Bowman and later owned by the Mortlock family, was bequeathed to the State by the University of Adelaide in 1986.

Ms Lambert, who lives in Sydney, said as the property was gifted to the people of SA it should stay in public ownership.

“She is a grand old lady and has many stories,” she said. “Anyone thinking of leaving a bequest to the South Australian people would certainly think again if the Government sees fit to ignore the generous public spirit of the gift of Martindale Hall.

“I truly believe that under the management and care of the National Trust, and their wonderfully inclusive plan for its use, Martindale Hall will give present and future presentations so much pleasure.”

Trust CEO Dr Darren Peacock said the property was not just part of SA’s heritage but the nation’s cinematic history.

“We want to remind people why it is such a special place,” he said. “It (Picnic at Hanging Rock) is one of the most popular films in Australian history ... and people in other parts of Australia and internationally are concerned about the future of the hall.”

He said the Trust has recorded its most “successful year” due to the popularity of tours of the Glenside’s Z Ward and exhibitions at Ayers House improving its bottom line.

“We see the need for the National Trust to step in for those properties where the government is no longer willing to support them,” he said.

Martindale Hall is presently open for tours, weddings and functions under the stewardship of Michael and Sharon Morris.

The Government is in the process of considering the Trust and Martindale Hall Partnership’s bids to ensure the “best result” for taxpayers.