1 June 2013 - GOUGH WHITLAM - Former Australian Labor Prime Minister


GOUGH WHITLAM

- Former Australian Labor Prime Minister -

G'day guys

Today I welcome and feature one of Australia's more colourful and controversial Prime Ministers - E G Whitlam.

The Hon. (Edward) Gough Whitlam AC, QC was the 21st Australian Prime Minister, and was in office from 5 December 1972 to 11 November 1975. Born in Melbourne on 11 July 1916, he attended primary schools in Sydney, secondary schools in Canberra and the University of Sydney (BA, LLB). He was a Flight-Lieutenant navigator in the Pacific War and was admitted to the New South Wales bar in 1947.
 

In 1942 he married Margaret Dovey, the daughter of the late Justice Dovey of the NSW Supreme Court. They had three sons and one daughter.

Whitlam's government embarked on an extensive program of reform which he had enunciated as Leader of the Opposition. Amongst other reforms, it took over financial responsibility for tertiary education and abolished fees, the Schools Commission was established, welfare payments were introduced for single-parent families and homeless persons, the death penalty was abolished for Federal crimes and the voting age was reduced to eighteen years.

Gough Whitlam at the United Nations, November 1974. Under Whitlam’s lead, participation in international agreements transformed Australian law and politics.

In 1975 the Government successfully repelled five challenges by the non-Labor State Governments in the High Court. The New South Wales and Queensland governments, however, changed the composition of the Senate by making non Labor appointments to fill two Labor vacancies. In October the Senate thrice postponed a vote on the Budget. On 11 November the Governor-General, Sir John Kerr, dismissed the Whitlam Government. Whitlam's account of these controversial events is given in The Truth of the Matter (1979, 2nd edition 1983 and 3rd edition 2005) and in Abiding Interests (1997).

Established within the University of Western Sydney in 2000, the Whitlam Institute strives to commemorate the life and work of the Hon E.G. Whitlam AC QC and pursue the causes he championed through the Whitlam Institute Program ­- a program of public policy research, public engagement and education. The Institute bridges the historical legacy of Gough Whitlam's years in public life and the contemporary relevance of the Whitlam Program to public discourse and policy. Please visit the Whitlam Institute Program page for more information about the work the Whitlam Institute is doing.

 The public lives of Gough Whitlam and his wife, Margaret, extend over half a century. After serving in the Royal Australian Air Force, Whitlam joined the Australian Labor Party in 1945. He became the Member for Werriwa in Sydney’s south in 1952, retaining the seat in 11 more federal elections over the next 25 years.


 Prime Minister Gough Whitlam and Margaret Whitlam in the gardens of The Lodge, September 1973.

Whitlam led the reform of the Labor Party platform during the long years in Opposition. As Prime Minister he immediately set about implementing a reform program that included strengthening Australia’s status by making Queen Elizabeth II Queen of Australia. His government drew on international agreements to develop programs on human rights, the environment and conservation.

Margaret Whitlam played an important role as a political and prime ministerial wife. An outspoken public speaker, broadcaster and columnist, she accompanied Gough Whitlam on his countless overseas travels. As a qualified social worker, she was particularly interested in social conditions. Their public lives continued after they left The Lodge in 1975. Sadly, Mrs Whitlam died in March 2012.
Gough Whitlam was Leader of the Opposition for two years after the dismissal of his government in 1975, and he remained in parliament until 1978. Among his subsequent official roles were his three years as Australian Ambassador to the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) in Paris. He also chaired the Australia–China Council and the Council of the National Gallery of Australia and held various visiting professorships and committee memberships.


Gough Whitlam talking with Smila Underwood at Wattie Creek, 1980. Five years earlier, Whitlam took part in a symbolic ceremony to mark the return of Gurindji land to traditional owners.

Gough Whitlam remained Leader of the Labor Party and Leader of the Opposition until 1977. On 22 December 1977 he stood down as party leader after Labor’s defeat in the federal election that month and was succeeded by Bill Hayden. Whitlam resigned from his parliamentary seat on 31 July 1978 and was made a Companion of the Order of Australia the same year.

He became the first national visiting fellow at the Australian National University in 1978, and subsequently held visiting professorships at Harvard University in the United States in 1979 and at Australian universities. During his parliamentary career he had served many times on constitutional inquiries, including the joint parliamentary committee on constitutional review in 1956–59 and the federal–state Constitutional Convention in 1973–77. In 1985 he was appointed to Australia’s Constitutional Commission.

In 1983 the Hawke government appointed Whitlam as Australian Ambassador to UNESCO in Paris. Whitlam’s brief was to gain Australia’s transfer from the western European group to the Asia and Pacific group, and he maintained support for UNESCO against moves by conservative British and US governments.


Former prime ministers Bob Hawke, Gough Whitlam, Malcolm Fraser and Paul Keating, and Prime Minister Kevin Rudd at the Apology to Australia’s Indigenous Peoples, Parliament House, Canberra, February 2008.

At UNESCO Whitlam also served on the Independent Commission on International Humanitarian Issues and the World Heritage Committee. After the High Court dismissed challenges to the external affairs power in Koowarta’s case in 1982 and in the Tasmanian Dams case in 1983, the constitutional door was open to implementing international agreements in Australian law. Whitlam remained a determined campaigner for Australia’s adherence to United Nations human rights, environment and heritage instruments. The World Conservation Union made him a Member of Honour in 1988. In 1989 he chaired the General Assembly of the World Heritage Convention.
 
From 1986 to 1991 Whitlam was chair of the Australia–China Council, and from 1987 to 1990 he was chair of the Council of the National Gallery of Australia.

In 1993 Whitlam founded the Hanoi Architectural Heritage Foundation and was a member of the Australian Olympic Committee delegation to Africa, a corresponding member of the Academy of Athens and an honorary fellow of the Australian Academy of the Humanities. In 1994 he received the Redmond Barry Award from the Australian Library and Information Association. Gough and Margaret Whitlam were also members of the 1995 Sydney bid team that wooed and won support for the Olympic Games to be held in Sydney in 2000.

Whitlam published several books and articles, including his own account of the 1975 dismissal, The Truth of the Matter in 1979, The Whitlam Government 1972–1975 in 1985, and Abiding Interests in 1997. He remained in great demand as a lecturer on political and constitutional issues, including the move for Australia to become a republic.

Since 2000 Gough Whitlam has been involved in the development of the Whitlam Institute at the University of Western Sydney, assisting with the transfer of materials about a public life that has spanned more than half a century. As well as providing a research centre, the Whitlam Institute promotes public policy research, public engagement and education.



Among historic documents donated to the Whitlam Institute is a pamphlet from the 1952 election, when Whitlam first entered parliament, and his 1983 Commission of Appointment as Australian Ambassador to UNESCO, signed by Governor-General Sir Ninian Stephen.

At the Australian Labor Party national conference in April 2007, Gough and Margaret Whitlam were made national life members of the party they had both belonged to for over 60 years.

Gough and Margaret Whitlam remained active and sought-after speakers at national events. Both were in parliament for the Apology to Australia’s Indigenous Peoples, with former prime ministers Malcolm Fraser, Bob Hawke and Paul Keating.

Clancy's comment: Gough Whitlam will go down in history as one of Australia's most memorable Prime Ministers. After years in opposition, he maybe tried to change too many things too quickly. However, many of the things he and his government did achieve will always be remembered. His opposition to our involvement in the Vietnam War inspired the biggest anti-war marches in the world. Interestingly, three Australian Labor Prime Ministers  played a large part in righting some wrongs inflicted upon our indigenous brothers and sisters since 1788 when the white man arrived on these shores: Gough Whitlam, Kevin Rudd and Paul Keating. And, good for them for so doing.

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Copyright Horst Faas (c)

31 May 2013 - WITOLD KOLANKOWSKI - Guest Author




WITOLD KOLANKOWSKI

- Guest Author - 

G'day guys,

Today I feature a writer with an interesting background - Witold Kolankowski. Welcome, Witold ...


TELL US A LITTLE ABOUT YOURSELF AND YOUR WRITING JOURNEY.



My father was the Consul General for The Republic of Poland in The Netherlands when World War II began. He took his next assignment and The Consul General for Poland in Scotland where I grew up as an exile.   My study of the English language laid the foundation for my writing.



WHEN AND HOW DID YOU BECOME A WRITER?



I became a writer when I was twelve years old.  I was at a Scottish boarding school and I wrote diaries and letters about the happy years I spent there.  I became a professional writer gradually in 1994.





WHAT DO YOU ENJOY MOST ABOUT BEING A WRITER?



The memories I recall and share with my friends.  My writing tracked my growth from childhood towards adulthood. I enjoy recalling the events in my life.  I also shared my favorite subjects of literature, history and sport.





WHAT IS THE HARDEST THING ABOUT BEING A WRITER?



The difficulties have little to do with actual writing.  I find many non-writing chores very challenging. Dealing with computer glitches, printer problems, password resets and sometimes my health bring distraction and interruption to my creative process. 



WHAT WERE YOU IN A PAST LIFE, BEFORE YOU BECAME A WRITER?



As a Polish exile in Scottland, I worked and supported my family, while getting my education.  After a few hard years, I received the most advanced degree of Fellowship in Managerial Accounting from CIMA.  I also got the Officer Class Order of Merit for my work on Polish history and culture in San Francisco.






WHAT IS YOUR GREATEST WRITING ACHIEVEMENT?



 Although there were thousands of books written about Frederic Chopin, none was written about his childhood and younger years in English.  My-soon-to-be published book explores the wonders of being a child prodigy in an exceptionally gifted family during exceptionally turbulent times.  Some of my work is not officially supported by some historians.

  

 WHAT ARE YOU WORKING ON AT THE MOMENT?



''Siren with a Sword"- The story of my assignments in Poland for Levi Strauss Company in 1991 (two years after the fall of the “Iron Curtain”). The title describes the mystical mermaid warrior which is the guardian of Warsaw.  The Siren with a sword is an official city emblem and she is on all the city buses.



WHAT INSPIRES YOU?



My thirty-five year career with Levi Strauss Company, which I talked about in question five, provided me with many travel opportunities.  During my travels, I was inspired by my experiences which I put in writing to be shared with my friends.



WHAT GENRE DO YOU WRITE?



Non-fiction and poetry because I enjoy both.



DO YOU HAVE ANY TIPS FOR NEW WRITERS?



Be yourselves and observe the ever-changing pageant of Life. Join that pageant and try to add to its wonders.



DO YOU SUFFER FROM WRITER’S BLOCK?



I never suffer from writer’s block, I treat writing like speaking onto paper.





DO YOU HAVE A PREFERRED WRITING SCHEDULE?



I prefer to write in the morning, when the sun is shining and the birds are singing.  I find that mornings are quieter and there are few distractions.  Most of my colleagues and family prefer to call me in the evenings.





DO YOU HAVE A FAVOURITE WRITING PLACE?



My study is my sanctuary, just like my home is my nest.   





WHAT IS YOUR GREATEST JOY IN WRITING?



Discovering history while researching my favourite non-fiction subjects is one of the greatest joys.  When researching Frederic Chopin’s young life, I learned that Isabella, Frederic’s younger sister taught herself to be a world class virtuoso pianist so that she could play all of her brother’s music.  She did this from sisterly love for her brother who was living as an exile in Paris.

  

 WHO IS YOUR FAVOURITE AUTHOR AND WHY?



Adam Mickiewicz, Poland’s poet.  One of my favorite literary works of all time was written in 1832 with the title “Pan Tadeusz” apart from its great writing, this poem is loved dearly amongst Poles because it was written when Poland did not exist on the map. Amongst European poets during that time, he ranks with Homer. The book describes events which are also told in “War and Peace”.





WHAT’S THE GREATEST COMPLIMENT YOU EVER RECEIVED FROM A READER?



“I felt I was there” comment about my travels.



WHAT WAS THE WORST COMMENT FROM A READER?


I have not heard any bad comments, even from a critic.


WRITERS ARE SOMETIMES INFLUENCED BY THINGS THAT HAPPEN IN THEIR OWN LIVES. ARE YOU?



Literature has been a great part of my life since childhood. Although I was not a professional writer, my duties demanded that I write reports.  I was a cost controller for the international branches of Levi Strauss Company.  This career took me to many places around the world, including Poland.  My travels became an infinite source of inspiration and my career demanded a mastery of the written English language. 



     OTHER THAN WRITING, WHAT ELSE DO YOU LOVE?



I love friendships, travels, history, nature, music and sport.



DID YOU HAVE YOUR BOOK / BOOKS PROFESSIONALLY EDITED BEFORE PUBLICATION?



Yes, I value professional opinions on the clarity and effectiveness of my writing

This includes grammar and punctuation checks.



DESCRIBE YOUR PERFECT DAY.


My daughter and I were on a whale-watching excursion about a half a mile off the coast of San Ignacio Lagoon.  My daughter Julie has seen many whales, and always wanted to touch one. There was something special about that day, as if something wonderful would happen. The sun was in the sky and the bay was alive with whales. Bumper was bumping more boats than ever, while we were also chosen by a mother whale who approached us with her calf.




Julie called softly ‘Come on baby, come on,’ but it was the mother that approached us. She slid under our boat and raised it by a few inches. Most of us lost our balance, but this was not an attack. She was concerned about her calf and wanted to be sure we were gentle. She let us down with tender care, and remained by the side of our boat. When Julie called again ‘Come on baby come on,’ Baby swam up to us, curious and playful, and put her head up for Julie to pat! 

Both she and her mother trusted us; a wild whale looked at a human being and wagged its tail like a puppy! She left her world of water to greet us in our world. Julie stroked  her head, her face, her lips and cried: ’Baby, you are beautiful, and you feel like an eggplant!’




Delighted, we looked at the mother, and experienced a connection that we will never forget. We looked at her ocean-battered face encrusted with barnacles, and she looked at us. Our eyes met and lingered as we paused. Her eyes looked as intelligent, as trusting, and as wise, as any eyes we ever saw. It told us This is the way, and we agreed.


After a while, the whales swam away. May they live in peace. We are glad the Grey Whales regained their numbers; the world would be less wonderful without them. As Julie said: “We are one family. When I touched that whale I felt I touched the World.”



IF YOU WERE STUCK ON A DESERT ISLAND WITH ONE PERSON, WHO WOULD IT BE? WHY?



My daughter who is also a writer. She is great fun.



WHAT WOULD YOU SAY IF YOU HAD THE CHANCE TO SPEAK TO WORLD LEADERS?



I would say that peace is worth much more than war.



WHAT ARE YOUR PLANS FOR THE FUTURE?



To become the world’s fastest centenarian



WHAT FIVE BOOKS WOULD YOU TAKE TO HEAVEN?



“Pan Tadeusz” by Adam Mickiewicz

“The Works of Shakespeare” by William Shakespeare

 “The Knights of the Teutonic Order” by Henryk Sienkiewicz



“ East of Eden” by John Steinbeck

    ”A Christmas Carol” by Charles Dickens



DO YOU SEE YOURSELF IN ANY OF YOUR CHARACTERS?



It is ironic to say that I do.  Most of my writing is about my own non fictional experiences.  Despite popular beliefs, my life is based on a true story.



DOES THE PUBLISHING INDUSTRY FRUSTRATE YOU?



Literary agents who do not acknowledge my existence, and publishing houses which promptly read and consider all their submissions within the first decade are just fine. I also heard that some of the big publishers are finally recognizing the existence of this technological anomaly called the ebook.



DID YOU EVER THINK OF QUITTING?



I have quit bad habits, but writing is not something I want to quit.



WHAT WAS YOUR FAVOURITE MANUSCRIPT TO WRITE? WHY?



None of the manuscripts I wrote was a favourite.


HOW WOULD YOU DEFINE ‘SUCCESS’ AS A WRITER. 

A comfortable retirement with lots of time for further writing.


WHAT SHOULD READERS WALK AWAY FROM YOUR BOOKS KNOWING? HOW SHOULD THEY FEEL?

They should feel surprise, delighted and enriched so that they can contribute their own unique gift to their world.




HOW MUCH THOUGHT GOES INTO DESIGNING A BOOK COVER?

A great deal of thought and care.  Designing for a thumbnail size image on the screen has special challenges. It should grab attention and repeat its message. When reduced to a size that’s  shown in the internet, many excellent book covers become a smudge.


WHAT’S YOUR ULTIMATE DREAM?

To be remembered as someone who enriched his readers’ world.






ANYTHING YOU’D LIKE TO ADD?

Yes, I thank you for the opportunity to be on your blog.

Clancy's comment: Witold has some great claims to fame:

 The Order of Merrit, Officer Grade. By the President of the Republic of Poland. 2004.
 

Gold Medal, Discus Throw, Senior Olympic Games of Northern California. 1985.
 

Gold Medal, Shotput, Senior Olympic Games of Northern California. 1985.
 

Gold Medal, Two Mile Racewalk, Senior Olympic Games of Northern California. 1985.




Here are the links for two of my books currently offered on amazon:









Thanks, Witold. It's been a pleasure. The story about the whales is fantastic.







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