Former Prime Minister Gough Whitlam, who died Tuesday morning, was involved heavily in the community in the 10 years that his family lived at Cronulla after his war-time service.
Although the family moved to south-western Sydney after he won the seat of Werriwa, he retained a soft spot for Sutherland Shire, which he displayed when he returned for community events.
Mr Whitlam opened the Salisbury Golf Course clubhouse in 1974 at Kareela; it is now Kareela Golf Club.
He opened the £277,000 ($554,000) Cronulla Sport Complex on the beach in March 1975.
Later that year, just two months before his government was dismissed, the Leader reported that Mr Whitlam received ‘‘a tumultuous welcome’’ at the Gymea Lily Festival.
Mr Whitlam’s first foray into politics was standing, unsuccessfully, for Sutherland Shire Council.
After Mr Whitlam went on to much higher public office, former Sutherland Shire president (mayor) Arthur Gietzelt jokingly told him he ‘‘would have made a good councillor’’.
‘‘Whitlam ended his service with the rank of flight lieutenant navigator on October 17, 1945,’’ the series said.
‘‘He resumed his studies and completed his law degree at the University of Sydney, and was admitted to the nsw and federal courts as a barrister in 1947.
‘‘By 1947, the Whitlams had two small sons and, with the help of a war service housing loan, built a house in Wangi Street, Cronulla, a beachside suburb in Sydney’s south.
‘‘Whitlam stood for the local government election for Sutherland Shire Council in 1948 and for the Sutherland seat in the NSW Parliament in 1950.
‘‘The family did not own a car, and most of Whitlam’s campaigning was door-to-door along unfinished streets in the rapidly growing southern suburbs.
‘‘He was not elected to either seat but the campaigns made him a well-known local figure.
‘‘Whitlam was involved energetically in everything – the suburban progress association, his children’s school parents and friends association and the Returned Servicemen’s League.
‘‘He became a radio celebrity, winning successive rounds of the Australian National Quiz Championship in 1948 and 1949, and was runner-up in 1950.
‘‘The quiz was arranged to promote popular interest in the Chifley government’s security loans for post-war reconstruction.
‘‘Broadcast live by the ABC, the quiz was followed avidly by many including Prime Minister Ben Chifley.
‘‘The prizes for championship winners were security bonds.
‘‘Whitlam’s winnings totalled £1000 ($2000) and the family used the money to buy the block of land next to their house.’’
The National Archives series said Mr Whitlam was noticed by the Labor Party for his work during the NSW Liquor Royal Commission, which led to him winning pre-selection for the 1952 by-election for the seat of Werriwa, which at that time included part of Sutherland Shire.
He celebrated his win by buying the family’s first car and a hat, which was then ‘‘essential to the politician’s outfit’’.
Werriwa was divided in 1955 and the south-eastern section was renamed Hughes.
‘‘The family, now with four young children, moved from their much-loved Cronulla house to make their home at Cabramatta,’’ the series said.
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