Home > assh > UNITY > Vol. 7 (2007) > Iss. 1
Article Title
Bridges of Goodwill - Reminiscences
Abstract
The following is the text of a talk delivered to the South Coast Branch (Thirroul) of Union Aid Abroad on 4 August 2007. Tom Uren AO was born on 28 May 1921. His early life involved playing rugby league for Manly Warringah and a stint at professional boxing before going to war between 1939–45. In the early 1950s he joined the Australian Labor Party and was the Federal Member for Reid, in western Sydney, between 1958–1990. He was Minister for Urban and Regional Development in the Whitlam government from 1972 to 1975, responsible for setting up the Australian Heritage Commission and the National Estate and creating new national parks. He held the portfolios of local government and administrative services in the Hawke government from 1984 to 1987 and was a leading member of the ALP Left during his time in parliament. He was often referred to as ‘the conscience of Parliament’ and remains a strong advocate for world peace and the environment.