As news of Gough Whitlam’s death spread there was a steady stream of the expected tributes. Politicians doffing their metaphorical hats, Labor members grieving the loss of a hero who spanned generations and conservatives politely recalling what they deemed good policy.
In the midst of the usual mourners sprang up two simple hashtags #thanksgough and #thankyougough on Twitter where users from all walks of life started listing Whitlam’s achievements and in a lot of cases, how his reforms had impacted upon their lives.
If you are Australian, every hour of every day will be touched by the legacy of Gough Whitlam - #ThankYouGough
— Ryan Walsh (@rum_rust) October 21, 2014
#ThankyouGough for Medibank, and for scrapping uni fees. And for lowering the voting age to 18.And for this: pic.twitter.com/YDseW1Tqgi
— Chris8875 (@chris8875) October 21, 2014
For giving all women commonwealth employees maternity leave. 52 Weeks; 12 on Full Pay. #Gough #legacyforwomen
— EMILY's List Aus (@EMILYsListAus) October 21, 2014
#ThankYouGough A single mum. first in family to complete degree & right on eve of his passing. His legacy is older than me & I benefited.
— Jacqui_ M (@Jacq_attak) October 21, 2014
#ThankYouGough I remember campaigning for Gough who ensured the end of conscription - saving me from ugly Vietnam War pic.twitter.com/McAsCjfKqi
— Andrew Casey (@AndrewSCasey) October 21, 2014
#ThankYouGough for stamping out racism in the Australian Labor Party
— Daniel Gerrard (@Dan_Gerr) October 21, 2014
#thankyougough pic.twitter.com/ltVVuOLCBv
— Lee Glendinning (@lee_glend) October 21, 2014
Anyone born after 1975 would not recognise the pre-Whitlam Australia of their parents. This is Whitlam’s enduring legacy. #ThankyouGough
— David Gunn (@dgunn1956) October 21, 2014
#ThankYouGough for Advance Australia Fair as national anthem instead of God Save the Queen but... Gee wasn't a better one on offer?
— Meta Cranky Noely (@YaThinkN) October 21, 2014
#ThanksGough - no fault divorce. No-one wants to end marriage but if you do you want it to be with dignity & minimum legal fuss. #Gough
— Helga Svendsen (@HelgaSvendsen) October 20, 2014
#ThankYouGough for establishing the Australian National Parks and Wildlife Service.
— Mel Thomas (@photogramel) October 20, 2014
#ThankYouGough for fighting the French Government over atmospheric nuclear testing in the Pacific.
— Jeffrey Campbell (@joxer) October 20, 2014
