Brookvale Public School
SPACE
Edward Gough Whitlam


By Jack

Early life

* Born on the 11th of July 1916 in Kew, Victoria.
* His father was Crown Solicitor in the Victorian Government before being made Federal Solicitor - General.
* He went to Telopia Park High School, Canberra Grammar and Knox Grammar, Sydney.
* He graduated Sydney University with an Arts/Law degree.
* He served in the RAAF during World War 2 as a Flight-Lieutenant Navigator.
* He has a wife Margaret Whitlam. They have four children.

  Whitlam.jpg

Achievements in Parliament

* Gough Whitlam joined the Australian Labor Party in 1945.
* He won the Federal Seat of Werriwa at a bi-election in November, 1952.
* He became Deputy Leader of the A.L.P. from February 1960-1967
* 1960 to 1967 and was the leader of his party until December, 1977. This was a record term for his political party.
* In 1972, he was elected the first Labor Prime Minister in 23 years.
* Immediately on becoming Prime Minister he :
        * Abolished national service, conscription.
        * Recalled all remaining troops from Vietnam to return to Australia.
        * Introduced welfare payments to single parent families.
        * Abolished the death penalty for federal crimes.
        * Negotiated diplomatic relations between Australia and The People's Republic of China.
* His Government commissioned enquiries into Aboriginal Land rights.
* Equal opportunities were given to women in Federal Government Employment.
* His Government was responsible for huge Economic and Social changes.
* On the 11th November, 1975. The Governor-General, Sir John Kerr took the unusual step and dismissed the Whitlam Government.
 
Timeline of his life

1916 - Born in Kew, Melbourne, Victoria on the 11th of July.
1952 - 1978 - Member of the House of Representatives.
1960 -1967 - Deputy Leader of the A.L.P.
1967 -1977 - Leader of the A.L.P.
1972 -1975 - Foreign Minister of Australia.
1972 -1973 - Prime Minister of Australia.
1978 - 1981 - Fellow, Australian National University.
1986 - 1991 - Chairman, Australia-China Council.
1987-1990 - Chairman, National Gallery of Australia.


Bibliography

The Whitlam Institute. University of Western Sydney.
Encyclopaedia Britannica.
World Book Encyclopaedia.
Internet Sites
http://whitlam.alp.org.au/bio.html