Graham Freudenberg facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Graham Freudenberg
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| Born | 12 May 1934 Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
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| Died | 26 July 2019 (aged 85) Bribie Island, Queensland, Australia
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| Nationality | Australian |
| Occupation | Journalist, author and speechwriter |
| Years active | 1952–2010 |
| Known for | Speechwriter to a number of leaders of the Australian Labor Party |
Norman Graham Freudenberg was an important Australian writer and political speechwriter. He worked with the Australian Labor Party for over 40 years. He started his career in June 1961 as a press secretary for Arthur Calwell.
Contents
Graham Freudenberg: A Life in Australian Politics
Early Life and Education
Graham Freudenberg was born in Brisbane, Australia, on May 12, 1934. His father was a soldier who fought in the Gallipoli Campaign. Graham was named after a former leader of Queensland, Henry Norman.
He went to school at the Church of England Grammar School in Brisbane. After school, he studied journalism in Melbourne. He then worked for a newspaper called the Melbourne Sun for several years.
A Career in Speechwriting
Graham Freudenberg became very well known for writing speeches. He wrote more than a thousand speeches for leaders of the Australian Labor Party. These leaders worked in both the state government of New South Wales and the national government of Australia.
Some of the important Labor Party leaders he wrote for included Arthur Calwell, Gough Whitlam, Neville Wran, Bob Hawke, Barrie Unsworth, Bob Carr, and Simon Crean. He was a key part of the election campaigns for 14 national elections and 9 state elections.
He was the main speechwriter for the famous "It's Time" speech. This speech was given by Labor leader Gough Whitlam when he launched his campaign for the 1972 Australian federal election.
Awards and Recognition
In 1990, Graham Freudenberg was given a special award called the Member of the Order of Australia (AM). He received this award for his great work in journalism, parliament, and politics.
From 1995 to 1998, he was part of the council for the National Library of Australia. In 2005, he became a lifetime member of the Australian Labor Party (New South Wales Branch).
He also won the 2009 Walkley Book Award for his book titled Churchill and Australia. This award is very important for Australian journalists and authors.
Later Life and Passing
Graham Freudenberg spent his retirement on Bribie Island in Queensland. He passed away on July 26, 2019, at the age of 85, after being ill for a long time.
Books by Graham Freudenberg
Graham Freudenberg also wrote several books:
