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Five most important Australians since Federation

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B

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Ok

We all LOVE lists on BigFooty right ?

So this is yet another list for you to reflect on and think about. I've been thinking about this recently, with all the Cenetenary of Federation celebrations going on it seems a good time to say who are the 5 most important Australians of the last 100 years ?

Here are mine, I won't comment yet but want your thoughts on these individuals who for various reasons and various circumstances have emerged as the people who have been absolutely crucial in the history of Australia over the last 100 years.

1) H.C. "Nugget" Coombs
2) Robert Menzies
3) Don Bradman
4) Eddie Mabo
5) Alfred Deakin

your thoughts ?
 
I would have Neville Bonner ahead of Eddie Mabo.

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TT - Obligatory bad-tempered Richmond supporter
 
Id say Billy Hughes would have to be in there somehow, if not him then Curtin.
Maybe Doc Evatt for his role in the setting up of the U.N?

Jack Lang was also quite a figure in the formation of what became a very strong union movement in this country. Plus his 'protégé' Keating is still having an influence from his time as the "Great Leader".

Getting away from politics, Florey would have to be worth a mention.
Also the bloke who set up the Flying Doctor Service, John Flynn (sp?) which led to similar services throughout other remote regions.
 

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OK here goes.

1. John Curtin-If Curtin hadnt stood up to the poms in the 2nd World War there would be no Oz simple as that.

2. Don Bradman-Bought the country together at a vital time.

3. Ben Chifley-Without Chifley there was no post war prosperity and he held Menzies at bay(not for long enough though)

4. Steve Waugh-Has helped to re-invent test cricket around the world-wonderful ambassador for his country.

5. Vincent Lingiari-Started the land rights movement and did more for Aboriginals than anyone else.

some others unlucky to miss out.

Eddie Mabo, H.V."Doc" Evatt, H.C.A. Harrison/Tom Wills (someone should buy them a beer)
 
it must be my age or just proof that the australian education system sux, but a hell of alot of the people you have mentioned above i have never heard of!
 
1/Leigh Matthews
2/Peter kNIGHTS
3/Jason Dunstall
4/Dermott Brereton
5/Peter Crimmins

LOL Sorry BSA couldnt help myself
Really though how about Gough Whitlam, Malcolm Fraser and that governor general dude Kerr, they sure had an influence on political debate for decades
 
Not in any order, but add to the list:

Edward "Weary" Dunlop. After witnessing so many wartime atrocities, he still managed to bring a message of forgiveness and a respect for humanity.

Peter Singer. Academic and ethicist. He was effectively the founder of the modern day animal liberation movement and a leading light of the left. The huge pity is that many of his ideas and beliefs have been reduced to soundbites by the media in a way which distort the rationale behind his arguments. Many of his ideas would make for worthwhile public discussion.

Rupert Murdoch. Love him or hate him, but he took a small Australian newspaper and created a worldwide media empire bringing him great wealth and influence. News Corporation was Australia's first truly world wide company.

Germaine Greer. Feminist and academic. Although she's very loopy these days, but the fact remains, her book, "The Female Eunuch" is one of the most influential books in the modern day feminist movement.

Barry Jones. He should have been Prime Minister, but instead he should become our first president. An oasis in a desert of political stupidity and short sightedness, he had a vision for what Australia should become....a vision that was eventually followed by other nations.
 
Alfred Deakin
Billy Hughes
Sir Owen Dixon
Menzies
Robert Garren

I would also agree with John Curtain, Nugget Combs and Weary Dunlop.

Evatt was a clever fellow, but became a bit of fruit loop.

Cheers

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"Strangely enough, in the midst of change, the present course may often be the most risky one. It may only serve to perpetuate the irrelevancy."
 
I might add that I did not nominate Menzies for his role as Prime Minister, which was in my opinion, slightly overrated.

I picked him on account of his advocacy in the Engineers Case; a famous decision of the High Court which changed the nature of the federation.

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"Strangely enough, in the midst of change, the present course may often be the most risky one. It may only serve to perpetuate the irrelevancy."
 
Lyons
Curtin
Florey
Bradman
Dunlap

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Chris

(Yes Virginia, there is a Santa Claus)
 

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Don Bradman
Weary Dunlop
Dean Jones
Alastair Lynch
Anne Haddy (A Neighbours Legend)

:D

Oh wait, scrap Deano and put me at No. 3 :D hehehe

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*the one and only lioness*
 
Please pardon my ignorance, but can someone tell me who Nugget Coombs is?
This is such a broad question, you could ssk 100 people and get 500 names...... what exactly does 'important' mean? For me, without further clarification, its my mum & dad and my 3 sisters.....
On the well known scale, it'd be E.Dunlop, F.Hollows, D.Fraser, J.O'Keefe and J.Curtin.
cheers
 

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PA1870,

You beat me to mentioning Sir Mark Oliphant. A brilliant physicist who wanted to use his knowledge "for good instead of evil". For those who don't know he was very much involved in the early days of nuclear power and the splitting of the atom, but was opposed to the development and use of nuclear weapons.

Also a very much admired Govenor of SA.
 
We ran a similar topic on the Roos board a few weeks ago and from memory the final consensus was :
1.Wayne Carey
2.Malcolm Blight
3.Wayne Schimelbusch
4.Keith Greig
5.David Dench
 
Robert Menzies.
Isn't he the bloke that started our first Export Import Business?
Sent Iron to the Japanese and they sent it back to Darwin.
 
Here's my list:

1) Sir Donald Bradman - great Australian
2) Phar Lap - born in NZ but adopted Aussie, well loved
3) Errol Flynn - role model for all men
4) Alby Mangels - legendary explorer and chick manget
5) Elle McPherson - beautiful woman
 

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