Politics and play at the Curtin Family Home

Politics and play at the Curtin Family Home

One of Australia’s most respected and awarded journalists will consider the Australian Labor Party and compare its landscape to the Curtin era at the National Trust’s 2013 Curtin Family Home programme of events.

 

Michelle Grattan AO will present this year’s Curtin Family Home Lecture entitled Modern Labor: What would John Curtin think? at the Grove Library, Peppermint Grove at 6pm on 25 November to celebrate the work and life of war time Prime Minister John Curtin, his wife Elsie, and their family. She’ll also call the former Curtin residence ‘home’ during her stay in Perth.

National Trust CEO Tom Perrigo said as one of only three former Prime Ministerial homes open to the public in Australia, the Curtin Family Home provided unique and thought-provoking opportunities to the community.

“We’re thrilled to have someone of Michelle Grattan’s calibre associated with such a significant cultural and political location in Perth,” Mr Perrigo said.

“The Curtin Family Home is a very significant place for the National Trust and the community. It provides innovative education and learning programs and is available as short term accommodation which provides a sustainable approach to heritage offered by the National Trust,” he said.

The 2013 Curtin Family Home programme of events include:

Curtin Family Home Open Day Sun 29 Sept
Enjoy games for children and follow ‘Elsie’ Curtin as she takes you on an audio tour of the house.
When: 11 am – 4 pm.
Location: Curtin Family Home, 24 Jarrad St, Cottesloe.
Cost: Entry by donation

Guided Walks Sat 12 Oct – Sun 20 Oct
Walk the streets of this typical Australian beachside suburb to explore the lives of John, Elsie and others who made it their home. Tours take approx 2½ hours, around 1½ hours of slow walking with stops for readings at historic sites followed by morning or afternoon tea. Two walks are available:
• Salt Air and Sunshine – focuses on the beach side strip
• A Home of One’s Own – takes you around the Cottesloe town precinct.

Curtin Family Home Lecture Mon 25 Nov
Modern Labor: What would John Curtin think?
The Labor Party John Curtin led through some of the most difficult days of Australia’s history is vastly different to the modern machine caught up in the fast paced media cycle and quick sound bite. Are we still looking at a party with a strong philosophical base or an ability to hit the media mark? Michelle Grattan AO will look at the future for the Labor Party and compare its landscape to that of the Curtin era.

For further details please call Anne Brake or Gina Pickering on 08 9321 6088.