With the announcement of the details of the Gough Whitlam memorial service, former deputy prime minister Tim Fischer has paid an unusual salute to Mr Whitlam when speaking in Wagga on Sunday.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
"Unbelieveably, Gough Whitlam as prime minister and ex-prime minister could recite correctly every (train) station from Junee to Narrandera in correct order, and he often did this when we were in conversation," Mr Fischer said.
"Gough told me he used the wheat silos of the Riverina to assist his RAAF navigation training in World War II.
"My final session with him was on the Ghan to Darwin in 2004 and, once again, he recalled in correct order, Marrar, Coolamon, Ganmain, Matong, Grong Grong and so forth."
Mr Fischer said he did not agree with much of Mr Whitlam's politics, but he respected his deep knowledge of the Riverina and also of military history, including the life and work of Sir John Monash.
The state memorial service for Mr Whitlam will take place in Sydney on Wednesday, November 5.
