Whitlam suburb name refusal reveals Geographical Names Board unique agenda

By Eamonn Duff
Updated April 29 2015 - 12:09pm, first published April 26 2015 - 12:30am
Whitlam opening the Labor election campaign in Blacktown in 1972: The suburb wanted to honour the connection but was denied. Photo: Rick Stevens
Whitlam opening the Labor election campaign in Blacktown in 1972: The suburb wanted to honour the connection but was denied. Photo: Rick Stevens
Whitlam opening the Labor election campaign in Blacktown in 1972: The suburb wanted to honour the connection but was denied. Photo: Rick Stevens
Whitlam opening the Labor election campaign in Blacktown in 1972: The suburb wanted to honour the connection but was denied. Photo: Rick Stevens
Whitlam opening the Labor election campaign in Blacktown in 1972: The suburb wanted to honour the connection but was denied. Photo: Rick Stevens
Whitlam opening the Labor election campaign in Blacktown in 1972: The suburb wanted to honour the connection but was denied. Photo: Rick Stevens
Whitlam opening the Labor election campaign in Blacktown in 1972: The suburb wanted to honour the connection but was denied. Photo: Rick Stevens
Whitlam opening the Labor election campaign in Blacktown in 1972: The suburb wanted to honour the connection but was denied. Photo: Rick Stevens

The late Prime Minister Gough Whitlam affectionately labelled the Sydney suburb of Blacktown his "temple of victories" and delivered his famous "it's time" speech from its civic centre.