NICO Mathews first met his political hero as a babe in arms.
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More specifically, in the arms of Gough Whitlam himself.
His introduction to the Labor icon was during a visit to the Border in 1975.
A photograph was taken of the 10-month-old with Mr Whitlam and sure enough, it appeared on the front page of The Border Morning Mail.
In 2001, Mr Mathews had another photograph with Mr Whitlam — this time the then 27-year-old held the baby, his 13-week-old daughter Mackensy.
The occasion was the 30th anniversary of Mr Whitlam opening the then Albury Travelodge on October 15, 1971, when he was federal opposition leader.
Mr Mathews described Mr Whitlam yesterday as “a true leader”.
“His ideas and actions back when he was prime minister were years ahead of anybody else,” the former Albury Labor councillor said.
“They’re all talking about decentralisation now, but he did it back in the 1970s with the development corporation he set up.”
Mr Mathews said he suspected some parts of the Australian community were simply not ready for the type of widespread change brought in.
“He was a gentleman and a scholar, mate,” he said. “He was like that whenever I met him, and I met him quite a few times when I was younger when dad took me to Canberra while he was involved in the ALP.”
Mr Mathews said he was thrilled Mr Whitlam always remembered the two photographs — “the one in the paper and the one with my daughter”.
“His death is a deep shock because Australia has lost a true statesman and leader of this country,” he said.
Another Labor tribute yesterday came from the party’s candidate for Benambra in next month’s Victorian election.
Jennifer Podesta expressed “our sincere sorrow” on behalf of all Labor people in Benambra.
“Every movement needs great leaders, heroes, who embody the spirit and values of the cause they fight for,” she said.
“For the ALP, Gough has been just that.”
Ms Podesta said Mr Whitlam held a vision for “the truly great egalitarian nation Australia could be” and understood education was the pathway.
“He will be remembered as a great leader ... and an inspiration to many.”