Gough Whitlam Memorial Appeal established

Now I hand custodianship to the Whitlam Institute in the University of Western Sydney.
In the service of Australian Parliamentary democracy, I urge my dear friends and supporters of the Whitlam Institute:
"Maintain your enthusiasm".
Gough Whitlam, 12 November 2010

The Vice-Chancellor of the University of Western Sydney, Professor Barney Glover, on behalf of UWS and the Board of the Whitlam Institute, is announcing today that the 'Gough Whitlam Memorial Appeal' has been established to support the Whitlam Institute that Gough Whitlam himself entrusted with his legacy.

Gough Whitlam always saw the Whitlam Institute not simply as the custodian of his Prime Ministerial Library but as a source of inspiration and encouragement to those who shared his ambitions for an equal, open, tolerant and independent Australia.

Professor Glover expressed the Institute's appreciation to Mr Whitlam's family who have suggested that those wishing, at this time, to recognise Mr Whitlam's contribution to public life consider supporting the work of the Whitlam Institute.

The Chancellor of UWS, Professor Peter Shergold, said, "It is a source of great pride for our University to be home to the Whitlam Institute. Gough was one of the earliest advocates for a university in western Sydney, and proved one of this University's most loyal friends from its inception till his death this week."

The Whitlam Institute [ whitlam.org ], established in 2000, exists not simply to preserve the legacy of the Hon Gough Whitlam AC QC through the Prime Ministerial Library, but to ensure that his legacy lives through our commitment to bold public policy and social reform and through our efforts to nurture an interest in and understanding of our democracy.

Eric Sidoti, Director of the Whitlam Institute, said, "The last thing that Gough wanted was a mausoleum. He always saw the Whitlam Institute as a source of inspiration and encouragement to those who shared his ambitions for a just and fair Australia in which there would be a place for all. His interest in the Whitlam's Institute's endeavours, and his willingness to support it in whatever way he could, never waned."

Indeed, on 31 October 2013 the ninety-seven year old Gough Whitlam travelled to the Whitlam Institute on the Parramatta campus of the University of Western Sydney to unveil a plaque marking the opening of his institute's permanent home in the historic Female Orphan School. It proved to be the last public appearance of one of our country's greatest public figures.

Eric Sidoti said, "At the Whitlam Institute we will be doing all we can to ensure that the history of Gough Whitlam's years in public life is not only preserved in the Whitlam Prime Ministerial Library but is accessible to all, and that his legacy lives. That legacy will inevitably find new expression in different times but the grand themes of the Whitlam Platform endure and the touchstone of our work will always be the benefits that flow to the lives of the women and men of Australia."

The Whitlam Institute has always had a bi-partisan Board and encourages the involvement of all people of goodwill irrespective of political allegiance.

Donations to the Gough Whitlam Memorial Appeal to support the purposes of the Whitlam Institute within the University of Western Sydney can be made:

• online at www.whitlam.org (opens in a new window)
• at any Australia Post outlet.

For inquiries call 1300whitlam (1300 944 852)

Donations over $2.00 to the Whitlam Institute within the University of Western Sydney are tax deductible.

Ends

24 October 2014

Amanda Whibley, UWS Media Manager

Amy Sambrooke, Whitlam Institute Communications Manager