w w w. b y ro n w r i t e r s fe s t i v a l . c o m
The Dismissal Dossier
Everything you were never meant to know about November 1975 In The Dismissal Dossier Professor Jenny Hocking exposes the definitive story of the most divisive episode in Australia’s history – the dismissal of Gough Whitlam’s Labor government. She brilliantly brings together a hidden history – a mixture of the unknown, the overlooked and the clandestine – to write a political thriller: the story you were never meant to know. Previously in her awardwinning biography of Gough Whitlam, Jenny Hocking revealed the astonishing story behind the dismissal – the secrets, the planning and the people. Never before released material from Sir John Kerr’s private papers revealed the secret role of High Court Justice Sir Anthony Mason and
Kerr’s collusion with Malcolm Fraser. Now, Hocking’s forensic investigations reveal explosive files in the UK National Archives that add a disturbing dimension to this untold story. Hocking reveals the Palace connection and unravels the web of intrigue behind the British Home Office’s link to Whitlam’s dismissal in the name of the Queen. Following these discoveries, Hocking instigated a legal challenge headed by the eldest son of Gough Whitlam, Antony Whitlam QC, to access the letters and telegrams between Sir John Kerr and the Queen, sent between August 1974 and December 1977. In March this year the court ruled that the Palace letters
are ‘personal’ and not Commonwealth records and are to remain closed until at least 2027, with their release even after that date subject to the approval of both the governor general’s official secretary and the Queen’s private secretary. ‘The decision to retain the Queen’s embargo over these letters as “personal” is the latest iteration in the highly contested and still evolving history of the dismissal, which has long been cloaked in secrecy, error and even outright deception,’ said Hocking. ‘The Kerr papers have given up some startling revelations, which have transformed our knowledge and understanding of the history of the dismissal of the Whitlam government.’
Jenny Hocking’s book sheds new light on the Gough Whitlam dismissal. Photo Janusz Molinski
‘I had hoped that by securing the release of the Palace letters, all Australians could finally know the full story.’ At Byron Writers Festival
Jenny Hocking will feature in conversation with Kerry O’Brien, who describes Hocking as a ‘dogged and resourceful history detec-
tive sleuthing her way past the impediments thrown in her path, to crack the secrets of Kerr’s and the Palace’s archives.’
What is it like to grow up Feature Events offer the best of the Fest! Aboriginal in Australia? Feature Events are separately ticketed events outside of the main Festival program. Featuring a curated selection of guests and interviewers, these performances and intimate conversations will have you laughing, crying and truly inspired. Here’s a selection of highlights from around town and throughout the region.
Lemn Sissay in conversation with Richard Fidler Author Anita Heiss will join Allan Clarke and Delta Kay in conversation at the festival. Photo Amanda James
Award-winning author Anita Heiss’s powerful anthology Growing Up Aboriginal in Australia showcases many diverse voices, experiences and stories of family, country and belonging. Accounts from well-known authors and high-profile identities including Adam Goodes and Deborah Cheetham sit alongside those from newly discovered writers of all ages. All of the contributors speak from the heart – sometimes calling for empathy, oftentimes challenging stereotypes, always demanding respect. The Saturday Paper’s review of the book writes, ‘Even readers who consider themselves relatively “woke” will be shocked and shaken by some of these stories and memories. One older writer recalls the
sight of a bullet from a new neighbour’s gun passing through his mother’s hair. A younger contributor, meanwhile, writes about dating an English bloke she met on Tinder: when a branch hit the car they were in, making a fud noise, he “joked” that it was probably just a “coon”... There is tragedy and awfulness on these pages, but there is also joy and laughter.’ Anita Heiss will be at Byron Writers Festival discussing Growing Up Aboriginal in Australia with Allan Clarke, ABC’s Blood on The Tracks investigative journalist, and local Arakwal Bumberbin Bundjalung woman Delta Kay. The session will be chaired by award-winning author Tony Birch, who is also one of the contributors to Growing Up Aboriginal in Australia.
Festival and Feature Event tickets:
www.byronwritersfestival.com North Coast news daily: www.echonetdaily.net.au
Lemn Sissay will take you on a journey from a tough beginning as a child of the state to a life of triumph as the poet of choice for major international cultural events, and chancellor of Manchester University. With Richard Fidler leading the conversation, get set for an enthralling evening with one of England’s great performance poets. Friday 3 August, 7–8pm, Byron Theatre, $30
The Saturday Paper’s Bedtime Stories with Tim Rogers MC Last year’s smash hit returns with four Festival authors retelling their books in the style of a children’s bedtime story. Entertaining, funny, heartfelt and of course a little comforting. Curated by The Saturday Paper’s Erik Jensen, this year’s event will feature literary great Tom Keneally, The Trauma Cleaner author Sarah Krasnostein, The Guardian columnist Brigid Delaney and asylum seeker advocate Kon Karapanagiotidis, with MC Tim Rogers chiming in a few chords of his own. Event Partner: The Saturday Paper. Friday 3 August, 8.30–9.30pm, Byron Theatre, $30
Southern Cross University vice chancellor Adam Shoemaker. Curated by professional storyteller Jenni CargillStrong. Supported by Brookfarm. Saturday 4 August, 8–9.15pm, Byron Theatre, $15
Women Like Us: The Show If you would prefer to laugh yourself silly, crowd favourite Mandy Nolan and partner in crime Ellen Briggs are putting on the ultimate show, Women Like Us; two hours of rapid-fire standup comedy. Irreverent, outrageous and totally real, these girls don’t just deliver in the birth suite, they do it onstage. Saturday 4 August, 7.30–10pm (including interval), Banksia Pavilion, Elements of Byron, $35
Liane Moriarty in conversation with Ashley Hay
Live Storytelling: Stories of Place Five Byron Shire locals each tell a 10-minute tale drawn from life. Featuring Dr Mary Gardner, Arakwal Bumberbin Bundjalung woman Delta Kay, mayor Simon Richardson and
Liane Moriarty is the author of seven internationally bestselling novels, read by more than 10 million people worldwide. Her 2014 smash hit Big Little Lies debuted at number one on The New York Times bestseller list and garnered some serious attention, namely by Reese Witherspoon and Nicole Kidman who went on to co-produce the book into an award-winning HBO TV series. Event Partner: Lennox Arts Board. Saturday 4 August, 7.30 – 8.30pm, Club Lennox, Lennox Head, $30
The Byron Shire Echo July 11, 2018 19