Sadness! This news hasn't reached our shores yet (via mainstream, anyway). I lived in Australia for a couple years, and this much I know: Whitlam was a 'bloody legend' - definitely one of the country's greatest champions. The first and only time I had met him was during a state-wide campaign to educate school-aged children about the voting system (I think? Words didn't matter as much as Sailor Moon did back in those days). He was so lovely and patient with us, we initially thought Santa had chosen to visit early. I learnt a little more about him in high school when writing a biography for Social Studies and damn, what a brilliant man he was. However, what I remember most was having to draw those infamous brows on his portrait for the cover art, and getting laughed at about it because everyone thought I was taking the piss. 

He issued many memorable quotes, like the iconic "It's Time", and of course "Kerr's cur". He stood up for the indigenous population in an era when segregation was the norm and violations against were not formally recognised. That many of my older, Aboriginal friends speak of him in a friendly tone is a testiment to this in itself. His voice and manner/mana were revered and felt from federal to community level. This is such a great loss for all, but I pity this modern generation the most, as I doubt we'll ever see another public figure of this caliber rise and take charge again. It is some consolation knowing that, finally, he and 'his Margaret' can rest together peacefully.