joint biography (later abandoned) or to La Nauze's definitive two-volume Alfred Deakin: a Biography (1965). Murdoch's limited interest, in his middle and later years, in Australian writing has often been criticised. However, in 1918 he published the Oxford Book of Australasian Verse (revised, 1923, 1945) and in 1951, after many years' delay, with Henrietta Drake-Brockman, Australian Short Stories, which was much better received than the verse anthology. Political involvement In addition to his academic teaching and the benefits which the young university obtained from his extramural activities, Murdoch was to remain a member of its governing body after he resigned from his chair in 1939. Chancellor in 1943–48, he was appointed a Commander of the Order of St Michael and St George (CMG) in 1939 and raised to Knight Commander of the Order (KCMG) in 1964. The university awarded him an honorary D.Litt. in 1948. He had been president of the local League of Nations Union from its foundation in the early 1920s until 1936, was president of the Kindergarten Union in 1933–36, and supported movements for women's rights. A depression at the time did not stop his actively opposing the idea of secession from the Commonwealth as a solution to Western Australia's economic ills. Much later, in 1950–51, he vehemently and stalwartly opposed the attempt to outlaw the Communist Party of Australia (CPA). His prominent essay, "I am going to vote No", rebuked Robert Menzies' attempt to eliminate the CPA in the 1951 referendum on that issue. Murdoch wrote that his opposition rested on one principle: Death and memorials Though the last years of Murdoch's long life were spent more or less as a recluse, with increasing deafness and declining eyesight, he remained mentally alert to the end. In 1964, he paid the last of several visits to his beloved Italy. When, in the month of his death, he was given a bedside message from Premier David Brand, announcing that the state government was to name its second university after him, he was able to send an appreciative acceptance. He added, , "it had better be a good one!" Murdoch died on 30 July 1970, aged 95. In addition to Murdoch University and the suburb of Murdoch, there is a walk dedicated to Sir Walter on South Wing Level 2 of the South Street Campus library of the university. Published works Loose Leaves (1910) The Struggle for Freedom (6th