It’s For You, Gough: Eleven Iconic Aussie Songs To Honour Edward Gough Whitlam
A great man deserves a great playlist.
It’s For You, Gough: Eleven Iconic Aussie Songs To Honour Edward Gough Whitlam
Gough Whitlam’s memorial service was today. Besides stirring speeches in tribute from Cate Blanchett, Noel Pearson and John Faulkner, thousands of people turned out to remember the Prime Minister who arguably had a bigger impact on Australia’s social fabric than any other.
Music didn’t escape Gough’s influence either; countless Australian artists benefited from the way Gough championed the arts and encouraged Australia to listen to its own voices, so we’ve collected a few songs in his memory. He made his way into more than one of them — a couple are even about him — but every song here deals with themes Gough tried to champion throughout his political career. The Vietnam War, Aboriginal rights, Australia embracing its own cultural identity — Gough had a massive impact on all of them.
Tonight get some mates together, chuck on this playlist and party in memory of Gough. True Aussie legends deserve no less.
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Words by Alex McKinnon.