The Courage to Lead: From Ten Pound Pom to Triple G — The Extraordinary Life of Gillian Whan OAM
In this warm and inspiring episode, Allan Sicard sits down with Gillian Whan OAM — nurse, migrant, political campaigner, radio announcer, theatre stage manager, historian, grandmother, and great-grandmother.
Gillian’s story spans a wartime childhood in rural England (including the day she saw Winston Churchill), her migration to Australia as a “Ten Pound Pom” aboard the Orontes, and her early nursing career in Canberra. She shares vivid memories of campaigning with her husband Bob Whan, alongside Gough Whitlam in 1972, bringing to life one of the most transformative moments in Australian politics.
Her life has been one of service and participation: leading the Woden Valley VIEW Club, broadcasting for community radio, reading for the vision-impaired, managing stage productions, and later preserving local history in Sydney.
Family is at the heart of Gillian’s story — from her children Stephen and Susan to her grandchildren Lachie (“Triple G”), Maddie, Georgie, and Jamie, and her great-granddaughters Harriet and Elizabeth .
This is a conversation about resilience, adaptability, and never being a bystander — a masterclass in leadership, community, and love across generations.
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The Courage to Lead - The Book

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