Len Underwood interviewed by Aron Paul in Rusted on - grassroots activists within Australia’s political parties oral history project
- Bib ID:
- 6254215
- Format:
- Audio
- Author:
- Underwood, Leonard, 1933-, interviewee
- Access Conditions:
- Access open for research, personal copies and public use.
- Description:
-
- 2013
- 2 sound files (approximately 123 min.)
- Series:
- Rusted on - grassroots activists within Australia’s political parties oral history project.
- Summary:
-
Len Underwood talks about his family history as wheat farmers and Country Party supporters; the effect of the Korean War on wool prices; working for Country Roads Board; his anti-union sentiments; the influence of Country MP for Benalla Tom Trewin; Pat McNamara; Coalition government; Jeff Kennett; Bill Sykes; Country Party membership and fundraisings; Country Alliance; Greens; changing the name of the Country to National Party; Victorian Farmers Union (VFU) name was changed to Victorian Farmers Federation (VFF). Underwood discusses attitudes towards unions; Communist influence on the Victorian Railways in the 1950s; Cuban Missile Crisis; Cold War; election day; his thoughts on compulsory voting. Underwood talks about becoming a farmer and a businessman; drilling for water as a contractor; wool stockpiling; Robert Menzies; attending national and state conferences; being a secretary and a church warden at the local Anglican church; local associations; country swimming pools; his marriage; his recollections of Jeff Kennett as premier and the Coalition; Labor Party; Gough Whitlam; Landcare; environmental issues; involvement in local politics; water policy and the Seymour water pipeline; the media; climate change and the local environment; travelling overseas and around Australia; changes in party membership; pre-selection contests.
- Notes:
-
- This interview is part of a joint oral history project conducted by the National Library of Australia and the Museum of Australian Democracy at Old Parliament House.
- Recorded on 11 April 2013 in Avenel, Victoria.
- Digital master available National Library of Australia;
- Index/Finding Aid Note:
- Timed summary (5 p.)
- Subject:
- Occupation:
- Other authors/contributors:
- Related Records:
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This belongs to the Rusted on - grassroots activists within Australia’s political parties oral history project.
This collection contains 22 records. - Copyright:
-
In Copyright
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- Reason for copyright status:
- Until 2083 [Created/Published Date + 70 Years]
Copyright status was determined using the following information:
- Material type:
- Sound Recording
- Published status:
- Unpublished
- Creation date:
- 2013
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