Extract from ABC News
Updated
A state memorial service for the 21st prime minister
of Australia, Edward Gough Whitlam will begin at 11:00am (AEDT) this
morning.
Prime Minister Tony Abbott is expected to join five
former prime ministers and a plethora of dignitaries at Sydney Town Hall
to honour the man who reformed the Australian Labor Party with a mantra
of "crash through or crash".Mr Whitlam, who died aged 98 on October 21, leaves a legacy of unprecedented and unmatched change in Australian politics.
Arguably, he was as much lauded for his reformist leadership and eloquence as he was lambasted for his autocratic style and profligacy.
But it is for being at the centre of Australia’s most ferocious political storm, the 'dismissal', that Gough Whitlam will forever be remembered.
Among those who will pay their respects will be a group from the Gurindji people who will travel to Sydney from their traditional home, about 800 kilometres south of Darwin.
The Gurindji people have never forgotten the man they call kulum Whitlam who returned to them their traditional lands in what became known as the Wave Hill handback.
It finalised the first significant recognition of land rights by an Australian Government.
Memorial attendees advised to take public transport
Traffic movements around Sydney Town Hall will be affected by the memorial service.Organisers have suggested motorists avoid the area and recommended attendees travel to the service on public transport using the closest train station, which is Town Hall station.
Special event clearways will be in place from 7:00am to 3:00pm (AEDT) on both sides between Kent Street and George Street.
The memorial service will be screened at Freedom Plaza, Park Road, Cabramatta from 10:30am until 1:00pm.
Fairfield City Council Mayor Cr Frank Carbone said Mr Whitlam would not only be remembered as Australia's 21st prime minister, but also as a passionate Cabramatta local.
"After discussions with the Whitlam family it was felt to be fitting to have this as a live stream location, given his close ties to the Cabramatta community," Cr Carbone announced yesterday.
Mr Whitlam was the member for Werriwa in south-west Sydney for 26 years after serving in the Royal Australian Air Force during World War II.
The service will be broadcast live by the ABC on News 24 and local radio and streamed live on the website.
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