Oh hello, 2025,pencil, gesso, acrylic paint on paper, 2520 x 3570mm. Western Sydney University Art Collection.

Photo by Richard Trang

Provocations


In what ways did the exceptional women of the Whitlam era shape the government's progressive reforms, and how might their legacy continue to influence political movements today?

How might Margaret Whitlam’s partnership with Gough have shaped his path to leadership, and what does their relationship suggest about the role of personal partnerships in political success moving forward?


What can be learned from Margaret Whitlam’s political instincts, and how might future leaders better recognize and respond to challenging personalities in political life?

 

Oh hello 420mm x 594mm

Kathe Lette’s account of what Margaret Whitlam exclaimed as she stood in her underwear looking down at her fallen skirt. She had just arrived at a chic Parisian restaurant as a guest of honour with Gough, then ambassador of UNESCO.

Married 420mm x 594mm

Margaret Dovey to Gough Whitlam, 1942

manhuntng braburning lesbian member castration penis envy brigade 420mm x 594mm

Words from speech by Kate Jennings at a Vietnam War moratorium rally in 1970. Fed up with not being listened to by men the speech was purposely aggressive and provocaTve. The speech inspired women and infuriated many men.

MY WOMB IS NOT STATE PROPERTY

Placard from International Women’s Day march, Melbourne, March 8, 1975

Darling flower Pussy

Some of Gough’s endearing names for Margaret in her letters from him.

Swimmer

Margaret represented Australia in the 1938 BriTsh Empire Games in Sydney.

That’s enough, let us speak of fruit and flowers

Margaret would interject during heated family discussions

Whitlam Family

Margaret, Gough, Nicholas, Catherine, Tony, Stephen

Shut up you silly old goat

Margaret stabilising Gough

Margaret

Gerald Stone sexist interview with Margaret Whitlam at the lodge, 1973

Mother I’m rooted

An anthology of Australian women poets, edited by Kate Jennings

Margaret Whitlam

Official portrait at the lodge, 1974

helluva beaut sheila

DescripTon of Margaret by British press

it’s time again

Just what is says

Mark my words for once

Margaret to Gough