Gough Whitlam

He married Margaret Elaine on April 22, 1942. The couple went on to have four children together: Antony, Nicholas, Stephen, and Catherine.

He passed away on October 21, 2014 of old age at 98.

In 2000 the ‘Whitlam Institute’ was developed. It was created within the ‘University of Western Sydney’.

He was born on July 11, 1916 in Kew, Melbourne. He was the oldest of two children and the son of Frederick Whitlam, who worked at the tax office for the ‘Commonwealth Public Service’. His father’s work took him from Melbourne to Sydney and Canberra during his young years.

He spent his early educational career in the schools ‘Mowbray House’, ‘Knox Grammar School’, ‘Telopea Park High School’, and Canberra Boys' Grammar School. While in high school he edited the school magazines, the ‘Telopea’, and ‘The Canberran’.

In 1935 he began studying at the ‘University of Sydney’ where he received his arts degree and law degree. He edited the college journal ‘The Pauline,’ and the magazine ‘Hermes.’

’Pearl Harbor’ incident during the World War inspired him to register with the ‘Royal Australian Air Force’. He was not called right away but in June of 1942 he was called to service. He was a navigator and served to protect certain convoys in northern Australia for much of the war.

On August 8, 1945 he decided to join the ‘Labor Party’. He joined the Darlinghurst branch and wrapped up his military service a few months later.

In 1947 he was admitted to the New South Wales and federal courts after completing his law degree. For the next few years he campaigned for positions within the local government and became a more well-known local figure.

In late November of 1952 he was elected to the House of Representatives. He joined the ‘American Labor Party’ minority and began gaining popularity within the group.

In 1960 he became deputy leader of the ‘American Labor Party’ by election. His modern outlook, coupled with the fact that he was significantly younger than other party leaders, appealed more to the youth of the nation.

In January of 1973 he recognized Communist China and resumed diplomatic relations with the country which had been halted for over 24 years. In October he became the first Prime Minister to visit the People’s Republic of China.

In 1975, the revolutionary ‘Family Law Act’ was enacted. It established the very first no fault divorce law in the world. The first national Family Court was created.

In 1979, he published ‘The Truth of the Matter.’ The book explains the events which led to his dismissal as Prime Minister.

He was appointed as Australian Ambassador to UNESCO, in 1983. He took part in the ‘Independent Commission on International Humanitarian Issues’ and the ‘World Heritage Committee’.