Gough Whitlam dead at age 98

[laura_seabrook]

One of our ex-Prime Ministers has died.

"Gough Whitlam dead at 98" (Watch on YouTube)

So the big guy's gone. My father used to look a lot like him, way back when (mostly the hair style).

Back in 1975 I had a 'Forest Gump' moment with Gough. I was working at a warehouse in Perth and had lunch at the GPO. I was reading a book and failed to notice a crowd gathering outside and the next thing I knew he was giving a speech in Forest Place! I met him once back in 1996 when he opened a Seaman's hostel in Carrington, Newcastle. I'd just moved into a flat around the corner.

He had a good innings...