Fifty years ago, I was attending the 2 of 75 Legal Workshop at the ANU to qualify for admission to practice as a solicitor. We had 27 in our class, and we were divided into nine firms of three each. In my firm were Jon Stanhope and now-retired NSW District Court Judge Martin Sides.

I recall coming back from lunch at 2pm and seeing ten of my colleagues, along with Beth, the long-serving secretary of our very popular Director, Kevin O’Leary, listening to the ABC news. I heard the announcer say, “And the Governor-General has sacked the Prime Minister!” (Gough Whitlam), to which I yelled out, “You little ripper!”

My ten colleagues turned in horror and glared at me, and Beth said, “I’ve been fifteen years at this university, and I’ve finally found another Liberal!”

Now I must confess that in December 1972, when Gough first won government, if I’d had the vote (I was one month too young at the time), I would have voted for an Indigenous independent first, and then our local Labor member, Kep Enderby, second. But by the 1974 election, I thought the Whitlam government had become a disaster in many ways, and I voted for Dr Peter Hughes, the Liberal candidate.

At the Legal Workshop, there were only two vocal Liberal supporters — Christine Harvey (née Button) and me — and about 22 dedicated ALP voters, including, of course, my mate Jon Stanhope. The other three turned out to be closet Liberals. It was a momentous day, and after work I rode my Honda 175 motorbike to the steps of Old Parliament House to be there in time to hear Gough deliver his famous speech. I recall that people were outraged but peaceful. I yelled out a few things like “Dudumms, Gough!”, and a few of my uni mates playfully whacked me around my bike helmet for my trouble. . 

Over the next few weeks, I went along with Jon and a few of his Labor mates to the “Maintain the Rage” rallies, and I’ll always remember Jon slipping a few coins into the bucket for me so I didn’t draw attention to myself. I greatly appreciated that — and probably still owe him a few beers for it. I also recall the rallies in Canberra and indeed throughout Australia were boisterous but peaceful. 

Indeed, the lack of violence in the protests, despite the seriousness of the issue and the strong, passionate views held on both sides, was a tribute to what a tolerant nation we were then. I wonder what would occur today in similar circumstances.

Gough even shook hands with the Governor-General after he was dismissed.

For the record, I think Sir John was right to dismiss Gough, but he did it in a gutless way. He should have “counselled, warned and advised” him beforehand — even at the risk of being sacked by Gough first (which would likely have backfired on Gough anyway).

As for the Whitlam years, while economically Gough was a disaster, he left one priceless legacy: a culturally more mature Australia. He finally laid to rest any lingering cultural cringe that we were merely a British outpost in the southern hemisphere.

They were exciting times indeed.