Whitlam Institute

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Rydalmere, NSW
Whitlam Institute

Working together for a more equal, open, tolerant and independent Australia. Home of the national What Matters? We support the Uluru Statement from the Heart.

The Whitlam Institute within Western Sydney University is a dynamic research and policy think tank, and a prime ministerial public museum. It commemorates and draws inspiration from the life and work of the Honourable Gough Whitlam AC QC and celebrates the contemporary relevance of his ideas. It pursues the causes he championed and is guided by the principles upon which Gough Whitlam's parliamenta

ry career and years of service to the people of Australia were founded. Writing Competition for young Australians, the Whitlam Institute is also custodian of the nationally significant Whitlam Prime Ministerial Collection, under the stewardship of the University of Western Sydney Library. The Collection includes books, papers and memorabilia gifted by Mr Whitlam and other donors. The Whitlam Institute acknowledges the Darug people of the Darug nation as the traditional owners and custodians of the lands on which we work as the first people of this country.

28/08/2026

Step inside a piece of Australian history.

The Whitlam Prime Ministerial Home at 32 Albert Street, Cabramatta will open its doors on Saturday, 5 September. Tours run for 30 minutes and include a talk from an expert guide, followed by a self-guided walk through the Whitlam Prime Ministerial Home.

Photo from the Whitlam Prime Ministerial Collection: Margaret and Gough Whitlam at their Albert Street home on 2 December 1972.

🎟️ Tickets are $10 and bookings are essential. Book your spot: whitlam.org/albertstreet

27/08/2026

One year on ✨

As we prepare for the upcoming 2026 What Matters? Writing Competition National Awards Ceremony, we're looking back at Lilyana Watson's experience as the 2025 Graham Freudenberg Award winner.

As part of her prize, Lilyana travelled to Canberra for a behind-the-scenes experience at Parliament House where she met Foreign Minister Senator the Hon Penny Wong, Minister for Climate Change and Energy the Hon Chris Bowen MP, Senator Charlotte Walker, Senator David Pocock, and Parliamentary Librarian Steven Fox.

Reflecting on her experience, Lilyana said:
“What I enjoyed most was getting to see Australian politics so closely, a rare experience only a competition like this could offer. Meeting politicians and hearing about their experiences also gave me a completely different perspective on the role young people can play in shaping Australia’s future.”

We’re looking forward to celebrating the inspiring ideas and voices of young Australians at this year’s What Matters? Writing Competition Awards Ceremony in September. 💡

26/08/2026

✨ Now showing at the Margaret Whitlam Galleries ✨

Come and experience Sitara Tanglaw, presented as part of the Western Sydney Creative Artists Commission 2026.

The exhibition brings together the collaborative practice of Western Sydney artists Marikit Santiago and L-FRESH The LION. Through painting, sound, storytelling and installation, their work draws on Filipino and Punjabi diasporic experiences to explore cultural inheritance, faith, resilience and the ties that connect generations.

Discover something of your own heritage or story as you move through the exhibition, with opportunities to pause, reflect and interact along the way.

Open Wednesdays and Thursdays, 10 am–4 pm, until 12 November. Admission is free.

Want to make the most of your visit? Join a guided tour of the Female Orphan School and discover more of our history.

21/08/2026

On this day in 1973, the Whitlam Government allocated a historic $1.2 million in funding for Indigenous-led legal aid.

The Whitlam Government provided critical early backing to Indigenous-led legal aid, building on the foundation of Australia’s first free legal service which opened in Redfern in 1970. Rather than a single isolated $1.2 million grant on this specific day, the government rolled out an extensive multi-million dollar funding commitment that totaled $7.8 million between 1973 and 1976

This marked the beginning of $7.8 million in Commonwealth funding between 1973 and 1976, supporting the expansion of the Aboriginal Legal Service and the establishment of offices across Australia providing free legal assistance and representation to Indigenous peoples.

The investment formed part of the Whitlam Government’s broader commitment to self-determination and improving access to justice for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

Curious to learn more? Explore Gough Whitlam’s life and legacy at whitlam.org

20/08/2026

✨ Mini Goughs in the making...

Young students from across Sydney came together for Using Our Voices, an interactive civic education workshop led by Research Associate Fellow Joelle Sassine, designed to help participants turn knowledge into action.

Participants explored how policy develops through government, examined how structures of power and influence shape policy outcomes, and developed practical skills for engaging with elected representatives and advocating for the issues that matter to them.

We were pleased to welcome the Hon Jihad Dib MP and City of Canterbury Bankstown Mayor Bilal El-Hayek as guest speakers. Students were also invited to consider an important question: How much voice do you believe you have in Australian democracy?

Let us know in the comments! 👇

19/08/2026

Recently at the Whitlam Institute, we were delighted to welcome Ryan Neelam and his team from the Centre for Australia - India Relations.

Welcomed by Professor John Juriansz, Director of the Whitlam Institute and Associate Professor Jennifer Hsu, Program Director, Research and Policy, the delegation toured the historic Female Orphan School and explored items from the Whitlam Prime Ministerial Collection.

Among the items were the official program from Prime Minister Gough Whitlam’s visit to India in June 1973 and a transcript of his interview with All India Radio ahead of the visit.

With a shared commitment to promoting policy dialogue and strengthening Australia’s engagement in the region, we look forward to continuing our relationship with the Centre.

11/08/2026

On this day in 1973, Australia took an important step towards becoming the multicultural nation we know today.

Al Grassby, Minister for Immigration in the Whitlam Government, presented 'A Multi-cultural Society for the Future'. Recognised as Australia’s first multicultural policy statement, the paper articulated a vision grounded in cultural diversity, social harmony and tolerance.

The Whitlam Government put this policy into practice through translation services, multicultural radio, and its incorporation into health, welfare and education policy.

Today, Australians have cultural ties to communities across the world. The languages, cultures and traditions they carry have become an inseparable part of our shared national identity.

05/08/2026

Last week we had the privilege of celebrating some of Tasmania's brightest young voices. ✨

The Whitlam Institute travelled to Hobart for the 2026 Tasmanian State Awards for the What Matters? Writing Competition, recognising students who explored one powerful question - what matters?

Inspired by Gough Whitlam's belief that young people should have a voice in shaping Australia's future, the competition invites students in Years 5–12 to think critically, write boldly and share the issues that matter most to them. Congratulations to this year's winners and finalists, and well done to every student who participated in this year's competition!

The ceremony brought together educators, community leaders and supporters of civic education. Professor John Juriansz was joined by the Hon Jo Palmer MLC, selection panellists Young Dawkins and Carolyn Flood, Hobart Lord Mayor Anna Reynolds, and Christian Ellston from the Department for Education, Children and Young People (DECYP) to celebrate this year's entrants and award recipients.

Thank you to the teachers, panellists, partners and supporters, including the Tasmanian DECYP, who make the What Matters? Writing Competition possible each year and continue to empower the voices of the next generation.

More details to come for the National Awards Ceremony in September.

04/08/2026

An evening in conversation with The Hon Bob Carr.

The Whitlam Institute was pleased to partner with the Institute for Australian and Asian Arts and Culture (IAC) and the Writing and Society Research Centre at Western Sydney University to host a candid conversation with The Hon Bob Carr, discussing his latest memoir, Bring Back Yesterday.

In this deeply personal work, Bob Carr reflects on love, memory and loss following the passing of his wife, Helena, while honouring the people, places and experiences that shaped their life together. The evening offered the audience an intimate insight into one of Australia's most respected public figures, exploring the enduring power of companionship, culture and remembrance.

The Whitlam Institute extends its thanks to Professor Jing Han, IAC Director, for leading the discussion, and to Professor John Juriansz, Director of the Whitlam Institute, Vice-Chancellor Professor George Williams AO, and the Hon John Faulkner, Chair of the Whitlam Institute Board, for their contributions to the evening.

📚 Bring Back Yesterday was available for purchase and signing following the event.

29/07/2026

Looking for something to do this weekend?

Step inside Australia's oldest surviving three-storey building and discover one of our most significant heritage sites. The Female Orphan School has stood for more than 200 years, witnessing the evolution of Australia from its colonial beginnings to the vibrant nation we know today.

Today, it's home to the Whitlam Institute and houses the nationally significant Whitlam Prime Ministerial Collection, the Gough Whitlam Prime Ministerial Museum and the Margaret Whitlam Galleries.

Join one of our guided tours and uncover the stories, people and ideas that have shaped Australia across two centuries.

📅 Saturday 1 August
🕚 11.00 am – 2.00 pm
🎟️ Book online at whitlam.org/femaleorphanschool

Address

Rydalmere, NSW
2150

Telephone

+61296859210

Website

http://www.whitlam.org/

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