IN 1974, former editor of the Bega District News John Leach was presented with one of Country Press’s top awards by none other than Gough Whitlam, who died on Tuesday aged 98.
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Mr Leach - who is now a newsreader with ABC South East Radio - has fond memories of Mr Whitlam, not least of which was receiving from him the EC Sommerlad Memorial Award for Journalism 40 years ago.
“Regardless of your political persuasion he was an absolutely charming man – 100 per cent charisma,” Mr Leach said on Tuesday after hearing of the former Australian Prime Minister’s death.
Mr Leach said the Country Press awards “were a bit like the Logies are today” with red carpets, ladies in gowns “and me all dressed up like I’m going to a funeral”.
“When Whitlam was presenting those awards he was a Labor man walking into a room full of right-wing Liberals – and he razzle-dazzled the whole night.
“People were falling all over themselves to speak with him.
“And don’t forget his wife Margaret, she was fantastic in her own right,” he said.
Mr Leach said after an ABC program on Gough Whitlam he had a new-found respect for the former PM and the reforms he brought in.
He said some that sprang to mind were better recognition for women in politics and the beginning of Australia taking part in world affairs in its own right.
“Although it didn’t really happen until Paul Keating, Whitlam’s era saw the beginning of the agitation for our currency standing on its own feet,” Mr Leach said.
“Rather than its value being set, it was going to float with world currency, which greatly benefitted our exports.”
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