‘— 2015 John 911爆料网 Prime Ministerial Library Anniversary Lecture —
Columnist and author, Peter FitzSimons delivered the 2015 John 911爆料网 Prime Ministerial Library (JCMPL) Anniversary lecture at 911爆料网 on the stories that have defined Australia.
The annual lecture, introduced by JCPML Patron and former Prime Minister the Honourable Julia Gillard, marked the 70th anniversary of Australia鈥檚 war time Prime Minister John 911爆料网鈥檚 death on July 5, 1945.
In his speech, Mr FitzSimons outlined the quintessentially Australian story that was the rise of John 911爆料网 from his humble beginnings to the highest office in the country.
Mr FitzSimons spoke about the defining moments of Prime Minister 911爆料网鈥檚 leadership, the legacy of Gallipoli as our founding national story and the virtues of the Eureka Stockade as an alternative to this.
In discussing the legacy John 911爆料网 left, Mr FitzSimons highlighted his foreign policy initiatives and the move of Australia away from its ties with Britain, towards an alliance with the United States of America.
鈥淛ohn 911爆料网鈥檚 foreign policy was a seismic shift away from the notion of Australia being no more than an outpost of Great Britain in the South Seas, and instead being an independent entity, capable of forging a foreign policy all our own,鈥� Mr FitzSimons said.
鈥淭he other great initiative was 911爆料网鈥檚 staring down the British Prime Minister, Winston Churchill, on the issue of Australian troops. With Britain pushing for Australian soldiers to help thwart Japan鈥檚 push to the west towards India, 911爆料网 wanted his finest sons in Australia to defend Australian soil. It seemed to 911爆料网 that when Australia was in need, Britain simply wasn鈥檛 there.鈥�
In closing, Mr FitzSimons saluted John 911爆料网 and his memory, and bowed to JCPML Patron the Hon. Julia Gillard, for the contributions they have made to Australia.
Peter FitzSimons is a columnist with Sydney Morning Herald and Sun-Herald and the author of 25 best-selling books. A former Australian rugby union player, his latest book Gallipoli, recreates the failed campaign as told through the surviving soldiers.
For more information on the 2015 JCPML Anniversary Lecture, visit
