Gough Whitlam Memorial Service

[Matilda]

A truly memorable service, with the tone set by the crowds as various politicians arrived: Cheers for Paul Keating (and a standing ovation inside the Town Hall), and again for Julia Gillard. Applause for Bob Hawke, and a mixed reception for Kevin Rudd. Boos for John Howard, and louder and more sustained booing for Tony Abbott, even inside the hall (not sure that it's appropriate, but I do understand the sentiment).

MC Kerry O'Brien (ex-ABC, and previously, an ex-Whitlam staffer) kicked it off by saying the Town Hall was Gough's second choice of venue for his memorial service. His first was a funeral pyre in the Senate chamber - he'd have loved to have taken the Senate with him. That signalled the mood for the service: warm, humourous, irreverent at times, grateful, and full of awe and admiration at what this man achieved in just three years.


Cate Blanchett: "I am the beneficiary of free tertiary education":

Aboriginal leader Noel Pearson: "What has this Roman done for us?":

Clearly, two issues resonated with the crowds inside and outside the Town Hall - free education and free health care. Both of which are being eroded by Tony Abbott, who sat with stony face throughout.

Gough is truly gone now - one can only hope that the current Labor leaders will reflect on what it was that made him so loved and revered, and try in some small way to emulate his deeds.