One hundred years ago, World War One, “the war to end all wars” ended. Exactly 57 years later on the 11^th November 1975, the Governor-General Sir John Kerr sacked Labour Prime Minister Gough Whitlam.

For Australians, both events are linked by more than just coincidence of dates.

World War One was followed by the worst sectarian divide in Australia’s history, partly caused by the bitterness and rancour surrounding the issue of conscription.

This divide was later exacerbated by the terrible economic slump known as the Great Depression.

The Dismissal also left a deep scar in Australian public life. The heroism and loss of life in the Gallipoli campaign in 1915 was hailed as the arrival of a distinctive Australian nationalism, but nearly 60 years later The Dismissal raised fundamental questions about the nature and direction of that Australian nation.

The shaping influence of these two key events, and what we should do as Australians to make this a better society, will be addressed in a challenging program of highly respected speakers and discussion.

Program covers presentations and discussion by:

• Professor Nicholas Brown: Introduction: Is the past really with us in the present?
• Dr Emily Robertson: Missing in Action: the German enemy
• Dr Deborah Jordan: Vance and Nettie Palmer, War, Women and Peace
• Professor Frank Bongiorno: Australia, WWI and the Centenary
• Mr Percy Knight, Wiradjuri Man: War and Indigenous Australians
• Dr Jenny Hocking: The Dismissal
• Ms Leanne Smith, CEO and Dr Mark Provera, Research Manager, Whitlam Institute
• Manning Clark Choristers: Fleur Millar, Director – Sam Row, pianist.

Date and Time: Sunday, 11 November, 2018

10am – 4.30pm

Location: Manning Clark House, 11 Tasmania Circle, Forrest, ACT

Tickets include lunch – $30 MCH members, $35 concession, $45 non-members

Book here

Discussion, food and music – this event has it all. Join us and have your say.