The Six Best High-school YouTube Assignments About Gough Whitlam

Gough Whitlam was one of those rare Australians who had such a vast impact on the country — its social fabric, its politics, its collective psyche — that they became a mandatory part of the high-school curriculum taught to indifferent teenagers by long-suffering teachers trying to spice up Australian history. Everyone who got to Year Nine learned, willingly or not, about The Dismissal and how it Changed The Nation, and almost everyone did an assignment on it because it was a choice between that, Don Bradman, Gallipoli or Phar Lap.

Because we live in an age where tiny high-schoolers know how to make videos before they learn to drive, a decent bunch of these assignments have found their way onto YouTube. They are absolutely adorable. Here are our picks.

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History assessment Gough Whitlem by Nicholas Capeleris

Comments: While the cinematography leaves a little to be desired, the filmmaker has a knack for narrative flair and sustaining tension that deserves a second look. True to the source material and boldly incorporating a soundtrack appealing to a young audience, Capeleris has created an admirably emotive and succinct reliving of one of Australia’s most turbulent periods.

Grade: A-

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Dismissal – Claymation by Ross Wigfield

Comments: What it lacks in narrative and insight it more than makes up for in speed. Wonderful set design and character development, and I especially loved the bit when the guy wasn’t let in. Not sure what it has to do with Whitlam?

Grade: A++, would watch again fourteen to fifteen times

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Gough Whitlam Dismissal – Reviewing The Reasons by Eli Blue

Comments: Exciting if irrelevant opening title sequence, and a brilliant commitment to healthy eating shown throughout — the introduction of a pear was especially notable. Eli Blue got the giggles at one point; a tense moment for everyone, but very well handled. Not sure about the ideology driving your analysis of Whitlam’s time in power, but you get bonus points for the awkward silence and all the puns.

Grade: B+

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Gough Whitlam In-Depth by ShakeAlmighty

Comments: The acting in this is amateurish — Whitlam did not have an English accent, to my knowledge — but wonderfully enthusiastic; the lead actor carries his duel roles as best he can. The script-writing is solid, with flashes of brilliance; I particularly enjoyed the Chinese menu gag. A mite derivative, given the obvious influence of Clark and Dawe, but overall a worthy effort.

Grade: B

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Satire (Gough Whitlam dismissal) by Frederick Mendoza

Comments: 20th Century Fox Theme on Flute = superbly chosen. Although the set-up took a little time, the summary of Whitlam’s achievements was fairly informative, and creatively handled. Sound design could have used some work, and I’m not sure about the pirate motif — but yelling “It’s time!” over and over and over again made for a pretty good joke.

Grade: B-

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Gough Whitlam — History Assignment by PhantoMumbler

Comments: Bazza McStanger is an Australian icon; I have no idea how a high-school student managed to get him to appear in a video! Besides the obvious star power, the acting, props and on-screen gravitas in this piece are impeccable; it sadly cuts out before the end, but this work deserves far greater attention.

Grade: A++ double-plus good.