The Whitlam Institute within Western Sydney University is a public policy institute inspired by one of Australia’s most respected Prime Ministers, Gough Whitlam. It is guided by the ‘three great aims’ of the 1972 Whitlam Program: to promote equality; to involve all Australians in the decision-making processes of our land; & to liberate their talents & uplift their horizons.
Gough Whitlam, 1972
WHITLAM: A TIMELINE
THE INSTITUTE: WHAT WE DO
WHITLAM: THE LEGACY
Discover our research
Visit the Female Orphan School and 32 Albert Street
Our events and exhibitions
Explore the Prime Ministerial Archive
The Female Orphan School at Parramatta: from refuge for young girls in colonial Sydney, to Psychiatric Hospital, to squatters site, and now the stunning home of the Whitlam Institute.
Travel around Australia revisiting your memories of the classic Aussie motel, from family holidays and long road trips to continental breakfasts and mid-century mod-cons.
This black cap with orange text and trimmings evokes memories of the 1970s, with the ‘It’s time’ logo front and centre. The cap is one size fits all and has an adjustable strap.
Weight: 78 g
Material: Cotton
Colour: Orange on black
The Whitlam government transformed Australia. And yet the scope and scale of the reforms for Australian women are often overlooked.
The Whitlam government of 1972–75 appointed a women’s advisor to national government — a world first — and reopened the equal pay case. It extended the minimum wage for women, introduced the single mother’s benefit and paid maternity leave in the public service, ensured cheap and accessible contraception, funded women’s refuges and women’s health centres, introduced accessible, no-fault divorce and the Family Court, and much more.
Women and Whitlam brings together three generations — including Elizabeth Evatt, Eva Cox, Patricia Amphlett, Elizabeth Reid, Tanya Plibersek, Heidi Norman, Blair Williams and Ranuka Tandan — to revisit the Whitlam revolution and to build on it for the future.
'Political history at its best.’ — Jenny Hocking
'... a reminder that politics can be radical, feminist and one that we can be proud of.’ — Yasmin Poole
‘Invaluable … a clarion call to younger generations.' — Virginia Haussegger
Dimensions: 21 cm x 13.5 cm
Product Details: Paperback, 352 pages
Carry the spirit of Margaret Whitlam around with you, with this ironic quote.
The bag says, “I am a feminist in so far as I don’t want to be trodden on and I don’t want to be used as somebody’s handbag. I am not an accessory.”
Dimensions: 420 mm x 420 mm
Weight: 195 g
Material: 100% cotton canvas
Colour: White on Black
Wear ‘It’s time’ proudly throughout the 50th Anniversary of the Whitlam Government. We hope to see you at Whitlam Institute events in this!
This product has been sourced from an accredited company using sustainable and ethical manufacturing.
Weight: 210g
Material: Single Jersey, 100% organic ring-spun combed cotton, 180 GSM
Colour: Orange on black, or black on grey
If you do find yourself doing the dishes, you may as well be armed with one of our Margaret Whitlam “It’s Feminine to Think” tea towels.
While Gough was in office, Margaret refused to adopt the then traditional role of wife, continued to work, and was politically engaged and informed on social issues.
“We must write our history, reform our language, keep our own names, live our own lives, redefine our god, make our own laws, learn to defend ourselves, demand and get control of our bodies, and affirm that it is feminine to think.”
Dimensions: 500 mm x 700 mm
Weight: 250 g
Material: Screen printed colourfast ink onto high quality European linen/cotton
Colour: White on purple
Carry your things in style with this sturdy tote bag, featuring the iconic ‘It’s time’ logo.
Dimensions: 42 cm x 42 cm
Weight: 195 g
Material: 100% cotton canvas with reinforced shoulder straps
Colour: Orange on black
Add this postcard to your order and send your friends and family one of Gough Whitlam’s most iconic quotes.
In his 1972 policy launch speech at Blacktown’s Bowman Hall, Whitlam said, “I do not for a moment believe that we should set limits on what we can achieve together for our country, our people, our future.”
Dimensions: 10 cm x 15 cm
Weight: 4 g
Material: Paper
Colour: Printed
Wear the phrase that encapsulated our nation’s readiness for change with this ‘It’s time’ badge.
These reproductions are just like the original badges from 1972, worn by Australians during the election campaign and celebrities in the ‘It’s time’ music video, when everybody came together to make change.
“Time for freedom, time for moving, it’s time to begin, yes it’s time.”
Dimensions: 55 mm x 55 mm
Weight: 49 g
Material: Pressed metal with a safety pin back
Colour: Orange on black
This large card showcases the beautiful restoration of the Female Orphan School, with blooming jacarandas in front. Photo by Sally Tsoutas.
Dimensions: 21 cm x 15 cm
Weight: 10 g
Material: Paper
Colour: Printed
This speech scroll and book set*, individually numbered and signed by the Hon. Gough Whitlam AC QC, are unique and priceless artefacts from this tremendous era in Australia politics and society.
Extremely rare, only 250 in existence.
The scroll and book are printed with the momentous Australian Labor Party Policy Speech, written by Graham Freudenberg and delivered at Bowman Hall, Blacktown in 1972 by the Hon. Gough Whitlam AC QC.
Due to unique nature of this product, please see shipping information below.
Shipping Information - Unframed Scroll
Shipping is charge separately. Scroll ships in a cardboard tube. Book shipped separately.
Product Dimensions
Unframed scroll: 38cm (W) x 134cm (H)
Book: 20cm (W) x 24cm (H)
*Photographs may not be to scale.