Monumental Tribute to Whitlam Proposed for Canberra Skyline
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has announced plans to commission a sculpture of former Prime Minister Gough Whitlam, marking the 50th anniversary of the historic dismissal of the Whitlam government on November 11, 1975. The announcement comes exactly half a century after Governor-General Sir John Kerr's controversial decision to remove Whitlam from office.
The timing coincides with the golden anniversary of one of Australia's most dramatic political moments, though conservative forces notably failed to counter with plans for a similar memorial to Sir John Kerr, whom many arch-conservatives consider a hero for his role in ending what they viewed as a radical government.
Visionary Proposals for a Larger-Than-Life Memorial
Columnist Ian Warden has sparked imagination with ambitious suggestions for the Whitlam memorial, arguing that conventional statues would be inadequate for such a significant figure in Australian history. "Whitlam is such a looming, larger-than-life, super-important figure in Australian history that a merely life-sized and orthodox statue of him just will not do," Warden contends.
The proposal draws inspiration from iconic global monuments, particularly Rio de Janeiro's Christ the Redeemer statue, which stands 30 meters tall with a 28-meter wingspan. Warden suggests similar proportions would be appropriate for a Whitlam memorial, potentially capturing the former PM's dramatic pose from the steps of Old Parliament House on his dismissal day.
Black Mountain Summit: The Perfect Location
The most striking proposal involves replacing the current Telstra Tower on Black Mountain with a 30-meter tall art deco-style statue of Whitlam. The location would make the monument visible from throughout Canberra and potentially even from space, according to Warden's vision.
An alternative suggestion involves creating a Mount Rushmore-style carving directly into Black Mountain's 440-million-year-old sandstone cliff face. The ancient stone, known for its honey and amber tones with quartz glitter, would provide a timeless backdrop for a massive Whitlam bust.
The sandstone holds particular significance in Canberra, having been used in the construction of St John's Anglican church in Reid. Warden envisions capturing Whitlam's expression from his famous dismissal day declaration: "Nothing will save the Governor-General!"
For those who lived through the Whitlam era, the statue represents more than just a memorial—it symbolizes a transformative period in Australian politics that followed years of conservative governance. The Whitlam government's reforms and its dramatic ending continue to resonate deeply with Australians fifty years later.
