The Life and Times of Margaret Whitlam: 'They've sacked the boss'

The Life and Times of Margaret Whitlam synopsis

Maxine McKew interviews Margaret Whitlam in 1993. Margaret Whitlam talks about her childhood, career choices and her life married to Gough Whitlam (Prime Minister of Australia 1972–1975). She reflects on the time when she was 'first lady’ and hopes to be remembered as fair-minded. The interview is intercut with still photographs.

The Life and Times of Margaret Whitlam curator's notes

Margaret Whitlam is relaxed, amusing and insightful as she reflects on the varied experiences of her life. The interview is particularly interesting when she recollects the Labor Party winning the election and her husband becoming prime minister. Her reflection on the dismissal of the Whitlam Government in 1975 is also poignant.

Notes by Damien Parer

Education notes

This clip shows Margaret Whitlam, wife of former Prime Minister Gough Whitlam, being interviewed at home. In a long single shot, she describes how she found out about her husband’s dismissal by the then Governor-General, Sir John Kerr, in 1975. The clip ends with a photograph of Whitlam standing behind David Smith, Kerr’s secretary, as Smith announces the dissolution of Parliament.

Educational value points

• This clip provides a rare opportunity to hear how the sensational dismissal of 1975 affected those closest to the key players. While the facts of the dismissal of Prime Minister Gough Whitlam (born 1916, Prime Minister 1972–75) by Governor-General Sir John Kerr (1914–91) are widely known, the way in which Whitlam informed his wife and her responses offer a different perspective on events that still provoke heated debate in Australia.
• Margaret Whitlam is an important female figure in Australia’s political history and her recollections are an example of a dimension of history that has previously been undervalued and, accordingly, rarely recorded. It is now acknowledged that the wives of political leaders, although not officially elected and not in formal positions of power, make important contributions to society through their involvement in official duties and their possible influence on their partners. Other political wives, including Anita Keating and Tamie Fraser, have used the print and visual media to highlight this issue.
• Australia’s National Trust has declared Margaret Whitlam to be a 'National Living Treasure’. She was born Margaret Dovey in 1919 in Sydney and was a swimming champion before she married Gough Whitlam in 1942. Her career also included roles as a social worker and a journalist. She was a vocal and involved political wife, speaking out on issues such as conservation and women’s rights, and accompanying her husband on his many travels. She has served on a wide range of governing and advisory boards, was awarded the Order of Australia in 1983 and is an important public figure in her own right.
• The clip provides a humorous and personal perspective on the way the events of the dismissal evolved. Margaret Whitlam’s suggestion that Gough Whitlam should have torn up Kerr’s note, for example, gives insights not only into her reactions and attitudes, but into her relationship with her husband.
• Interview and film techniques are used to enhance the subject matter of this documentary, with Margaret Whitlam being filmed reminiscing about the dismissal in a long, single shot. The only movement of the camera is a slow and partial zoom early on. There is just one interjection, a brief question from the interviewer and this, combined with the static camera, gives the subject space and time for her memories to arise and be shared. Margaret Whitlam’s responses have not been edited, giving the effect of a relaxed and intimate conversation rather than an interview and this reflects the content of the piece, being memories of private conversations between a husband and wife. The subsequent short piece of climactic music emphasises the stillness and intimacy of the interview and contrasts it with the drama of the actual political events.
• The clip includes the famous photograph of Gough Whitlam on the day of his dismissal, Remembrance Day (11 November) 1975, standing on the steps of (Old) Parliament House, Canberra, facing the media and angry crowd as the Governor-General’s secretary announces the dissolution of Parliament. The photograph is accompanied by music emphasising the seriousness and significance of the moment.

Education notes provided by The Learning Federation and Education Services Australia

Creator's comments

Producer Jenny Ainge comments on 'The Life and Times of Margaret Whitlam’

This archival program gave us a rare opportunity to explore the role of a prominent political wife. This is a behind-the-scenes story of a major political event and a controversial Labor government in the 1970s. In addition, it allowed us to see a political life and view a political couple from the beginning of their relationship, when they first met at university, right through to their fulfilling and busy retirement.

A fascinating portrait of the intertwined life of two highly intelligent and remarkable 20th century Australian characters.