May 15, 2011

John Curtin

I am wondering how many fellow Mirians know about John Curtin who has been commemorated by a University growing out of the swamps of Miri?



My photo - taken on mid day....a little dark....(This bronze statue was put up only in 2005 in Fremantle City)
(photo from Wikipedia)



John Curtin was famous for several things:
1. significant expansion of social services under his leadership. In 1942, uniform taxation was imposed on the various states,which enabled the Curtin Government to set up a far-reaching, federally administered range of social services.(a widows’ pension (1942), maternity benefits for Aborigines (1942), funeral benefits (1943), a wife’s allowance (1943), additional allowances for the children of pensioners (1943), unemployment, sickness and Special Benefits (1945), and pharmaceutical benefits (1945).The expansion of social security under John Curtin was of such significance that, as summed up one historian,
“Australia entered World War II with only a fragmentary welfare provision: by the end of the war it had constructed a ‘welfare state’”.
2. His early death and the sentiments it aroused have given Curtin a unique place in Australian political history. Successive Labor leaders, particularly Bob Hawke and Kim Beazley, have sought to build on the Curtin tradition of "patriotic Laborism". Even some political conservatives pay at least formal homage to the Curtin legend. Immediately after his death the parliament agreed to pay John Curtin's wife Elsie A£1,000 per annum until legislation was passed and enacted to pay a pension to past Prime Minister or their spouse after their death.
3. He  is commemorated by Curtin University of Technology in Perth, John Curtin College of the Arts in Fremantle, the John Curtin School of Medical Research in Canberra, the John Curtin Prime Ministerial Library and the John Curtin Hotel on Lygon St, Carlton, Melbourne. On 14 August 2005, the 60th anniversary of V-P Day, a bronze statue of Curtin was unveiled by Premier Geoff Gallop in front of Fremantle Town Hall.
4. Curtin House in Swanston St, Melbourne is named after him.
5. In 1975 he was honoured on a postage stamp bearing his portrait issued by Australia Post.

It is nice to finally see his bronze statute.

4 comments:

Ann, Chen Jie Xue 陈洁雪 said...

My husband came across a blog on Pillay college, and asked me about it. He asked if it is a university.

Ensurai said...

Methodist Pilley Institute is a college...may be one day it will become a university. But I think Kolej Laila will supersede it...The politicians have been saying that KLT can be a university in two years' time...It has a big campus whereas MPI is growing slowly from slow donations from church members and local people. Judy Wong Liong Yung has been the faithful principal for the last few years.

Anonymous said...

links of london, marc jacobs, toms shoes, thomas sabo, doudoune canada goose, canada goose uk, moncler, louis vuitton, hollister, montre pas cher, sac louis vuitton pas cher, pandora charms, canada goose, ugg,uggs,uggs canada, canada goose, wedding dresses, juicy couture outlet, canada goose outlet, louis vuitton, replica watches, juicy couture outlet, moncler, swarovski crystal, bottes ugg, ugg pas cher, louis vuitton, pandora jewelry, pandora jewelry, ugg,ugg australia,ugg italia, pandora charms, moncler, ugg boots uk, louis vuitton, moncler, moncler, moncler, canada goose, canada goose outlet, karen millen, moncler, moncler outlet, canada goose, swarovski, coach outlet, supra shoes

Anonymous said...

replica watches, jordan shoes, longchamp outlet, air jordan pas cher, cheap oakley sunglasses, christian louboutin outlet, longchamp pas cher, longchamp outlet, sac longchamp, tiffany and co, ray ban sunglasses, louis vuitton, nike free, tiffany jewelry, nike air max, polo ralph lauren outlet, ray ban sunglasses, ugg boots, ray ban sunglasses, chanel handbags, louis vuitton, oakley sunglasses, louboutin outlet, louboutin, louboutin pas cher, prada handbags, prada outlet, kate spade outlet, longchamp, louis vuitton, uggs on sale, michael kors, nike outlet, louboutin shoes, nike air max, gucci outlet, nike roshe run, air max, nike free, oakley sunglasses, ugg boots, ralph lauren pas cher, replica watches, louis vuitton outlet, louis vuitton outlet, polo ralph lauren outlet, burberry, tory burch outlet

Red Eyed Fish, Patin and Empurau

 Red Eyed Fish Baked with Ern Chao My parents enjoyed raising us in Pulau Kerto at the Hua Hong Ice Factory (also rice mill). Dad would fish...