1885-1945
- journalist and prime minister
- born on 8 January 1885 at Creswick in Victoria
- He was a gifted, persuasive public speaker, perhaps the best of his time. He had a raspy
voice and he was 5 feet, 11 inches (180 cm) tall.
- My name is John Curtin and I represent ‘Young and free’ because I love my
country and as Australia’s Prime Minister during World War Two, I did everything I
could to keep Australia free and fair for all.
IDEA
FOR SCENE: Time: December 1941. John Curtin had been prime minister of Australia for three
months when the bombing of Pearl Harbour brought the United States of America into World
War Two. In an article for the Melbourne Herald Curtin included the words:
‘Australia looks to America, free of any pangs as to out traditional links or kinship
with the United Kingdom’. The United Kingdom‘s Prime Minister, Winston
Churchill, was apparently furious.
