For the good of one’s soul…

A familiar face, Dr Jeffrey Wilson, was welcomed back to Government House today to explore new industry opportunities within Western Australia and beyond. Dr Wilson is the former Research Director of Perth USAsia Centre, now Director of Research and Economics at the Australian Industry Group – a peak national employer organisation representing traditional, innovative and emerging industry sectors.

The Curtin Family

The Governor delivers his address at the Curtin book launch. Photo by Arun Raj.

Poet, esteemed scholar and great-grandson of the late John Curtin, Dr Toby Davidson of Macquarie University, recently released a biography of the West Australian legend. Entitled Good for the Soul: John Curtin’s Life with Poetry, published by University of Western Australia Press, the book discusses the importance of poetry to John Curtin and the ‘mental relief’ it provided during his term as Prime Minister of Australia during World War II.

Toby Davidson’s “Good for the Soul”. Photo by Arun Raj.

Alongside the launch of the book, Dr Davidson presented a keynote address focussing on the first year of Curtin’s Prime Ministership, October 1941 to August 1942. Mr Josh Wilson MP, Member for Fremantle, host of the event, also spoke about the role of the National Trust and the Curtin Family Home lecture series – an annual event and part of the National Trust’s Lotterywest Heritage Conversations program.

Toby Davidson delivers his key note address. Photo by Arun Raj.

As patron of the National Trust of Western Australia, the Governor was invited to attend this launch and deliver the introduction.

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