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National Film and Sound Archive of AustraliaNational Film and Sound Archive
National Film and Sound Archive of Australia
National Film and Sound Archive
National Film and Sound Archive of Australia
National Film and Sound Archive

Whitlam Dismissal: Gough Whitlam on the steps of Parliament House

1975

Whitlam Dismissal: Gough Whitlam on the steps of Parliament House

1975

  • NFSA IDJE356HFP
  • TypeTelevision
  • MediumMoving Image
  • FormSeries
  • GenresNews
  • Year1975

Camera operator Bob Wilesmith was working for Channel 7 in the Parliament House bureau in Canberra on 11 November 1975, the day Governor-General Sir John Kerr dismissed Prime Minister Gough Whitlam and his government from office.

While 11 November 1975 began quietly, Wilesmith noticed signs around Parliament House that something momentous might be about to happen. After learning in the press gallery that Governor-General Kerr had sacked Whitlam, he grabbed his camera and headed for the front steps. This excerpt from Wilesmith's original camera footage captures the arrival of Whitlam as he warms up the crowd, moments before giving his famous 'Kerr's cur' speech.

Read more in The 1975 Whitlam Dismissal: News Footage

Courtesy of
Seven Network

Camera operator Bob Wilesmith was working for Channel 7 in the Parliament House bureau in Canberra on 11 November 1975, the day Governor-General Sir John Kerr dismissed Prime Minister Gough Whitlam and his government from office.

While 11 November 1975 began quietly, Wilesmith noticed signs around Parliament House that something momentous might be about to happen. After learning in the press gallery that Governor-General Kerr had sacked Whitlam, he grabbed his camera and headed for the front steps. This excerpt from Wilesmith's original camera footage captures the arrival of Whitlam as he warms up the crowd, moments before giving his famous 'Kerr's cur' speech.

Read more in The 1975 Whitlam Dismissal: News Footage

Courtesy of
Seven Network
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