In 1970, President Nixon's war in Vietnam, and now Cambodia, was getting unpopular in the USA and Oz. We decided to take our 8th Battalion home. Westgate Bridge fell into the water and killed 35 workmen. The Queen, Prince Phillip, and two kids came to Oz. They liked it, so the Pope came later. Margaret Court, John Newcombe, Shane Gould, and Raylene Boyle all did well overseas, and made us think we were world-beaters.There were 13 million people and 180 million sheep in Oz. The Indian Pacific made its first trip.

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1974. These were striking times. Whitlam and his Merry Ministers tried to change the world, and did make impressions. Or maybe, dents. In any case, inflation and strikes took the wind out of their sails, and their post-election aura was long gone by Christmas. They won an election but did not gain control of Parliament, they were fighting each other as well as the Opposition by then, and the nations economy was a disaster. Jim Cairns was under the spotlight, and so too was Lionel Murphy. Frank Sinatra came and fought and went. Wills were sometimes ignored, mothers went to work if they chose. Italians should come clean.

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In 1971, compulsory seat belts kept drivers in their place. Billy McMahon took over as PM, when Gorton voted against himself. Gough Whitlam, Opposition Leader, ventured to visit the Red baddies in China. Neville Bonner was the first Aboriginal in Parliament. Red unionist Jack Mundey conserved heritage buildings. Oz troops left Vietnam in time for late-night shopping in NSW and Victoria; they stopped at the first McDonalds in Yagoona on the way home. One-day cricket came to Oz.

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1972. It was Time for a change in Federal Government as Whitlam brought Labor back from the dead, and in our relations with China. Number 96 won the TV credits, women got equal pay for equal work, and call-up of Nashos ended. Israelis were killed at he Munich Olympic Games. Plan hijackers were now being shot overseas, and car seat belts were an issue at home.

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Year 1973. Whitlam and his Ministers had a lot to say. More than they should. We decided we liked Advance Australia Fair. Garages were going for good, divorce rules changed, abortion rules were to change, and the Building Unions were having picnics. The Queen opened our Opera House, and Civil Marriages tied lots of knots. France dropped many nukes in the Pacific, and Vietnam for America was still a nightmare. Richard Nixon was getting into hotter and hotter water.

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