Don Dunstan: The Visionary Politician Who Changed Australia

by Angela Woollacott

Don Dunstan was one of the most significant political figures of 20th-century Australia. As Premier of South Australia, he blazed a trail of reform. But his influence reached far beyond his home state. He was seen as the architect of a new kind of Australian society, and his decade in office marked a golden age.

This is the first comprehensive biography of a larger than life figure. Angela Woollacott recounts how he battled Adelaide's conservative establishment to win office for Labor, and then pioneered Aboriginal land rights, abolished the death penalty, supported women's rights, relaxed censorship and drinking laws, and decriminalized homosexuality. He worked against the White Australia Policy, and was an ardent supporter of the arts and food. Although he was much loved by the public, Dunstan's career was marked by controversy and vilification, with scandal surrounding his personal relationships.

Dunstan's life story helps us to appreciate just what a watershed era the 1960s and 1970s were in Australia, and to see how one small state could, for a time, lead a nation.

"A fitting tribute." —Penny Wong

"Whitlam and Dunstan were the Washington and Jefferson of modern Australian Labor politics." —Mike Rann

"Angela Woollacott's biography captures what was so special about him." —Maggie Beer

Genres: Nonfiction, Biography

344 pages, Paperback

Published August 19, 2019

Reviews

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

I wrote in my review of this book for the Saturday Paper that only after reading this biography of the visionary South Australian premier, "did I realise how much he had done to shape the Australia I fell in love with." Read my full review here: https://www.thesaturdaypaper.com.au/c...

[Dr_Hales · Rating 3 out of 5]

Dunstan is a remarkable figure and a great example of an visionary ALP leader. However, I think there could have been more detail and more depth to his period as premier. Weirdly, I think Woollacott spent as much time on his life before politics as his period as premier. Would have preferred deeper insight into his reign as a progressive and reformative premier.

[Benjamin · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good book about a great man and a personal hero of mine. Should be required reading for all South Australians and all who love the great and mighty city of Adelaide.

[Alan Bevan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm not sure whether my rating for this book is because Don Dunstan impresses me or because of my opinion of the book itself. It is well researched and gives insights into Dunstan's life that I did not know, especially his early and the later years.

Don Dunstan was unquestionably one of the most significant figures in Australian political life and, of course, particularly South Australian political life. What impressed me the most was his self belief together with his unwavering adherence to values of social justice. He challenged and changed much of the inbuilt conservatism of this State. Few people, if any, could lay claim to influencing contemporary Australian society in the way he has done.

How badly Australia needs such visionary and values based leadership today. How sad that it is so utterly lacking...

[Annie Booker · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent biography of a truly visionary politician who introduced many excellent reforms to South Australia, and which had an impact on the rest of Australia.

[Sue · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've read Dunstan's own Felicia as well as other biographies and yet, listening to Woollacott at Writers' Week, I knew I had to read her book. I am glad I did so. She brings new information to light and puts Dunstan's contribution into a useful historical perspective which is particularly relevant in 2020. Well-written, well-researched and enlightening.

[Goldy Metermaid · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. The early part dealing with his childhood in Fiji was a little tedious but still important to get the measure of the man. I chose this book after seeing his picture in the national portrait gallery. His list of achievements were extraordinary when you think of that period in Oz politics. He was a remarkable man a true visionary.

[Neil · Rating 4 out of 5]

A book written with clarity and conciseness. And doesn’t make the mistake of writing a massive tome, which wouldn’t add anything to the story and make it a less interesting read anyway.
Dunstan was a leading statesman, politician and social reformer, and alongside Whitlam, one of the most effective and historically significant leaders of this country.

[Robbo · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting but pretty dry account

[Louis Devine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Best Australian political biography I've read so far.

[Vannessa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent biography that tells of a time and a man in post war Australia.