Graham was a modest man whose knowledge for history, literature and politics made him a national figure on the Australian political scene for nearly 50 years.
He had a deep interest in and understanding of politics and was recognized as Australia’s greatest political speech writer.
His writing and creative skills enhanced the political images of some of the country’s most prominent political figures of his era.
These included Gough Whitlam, Bob Hawke, Arthur Calwell, Neville Wran, Bob Carr and others for all of whom he was a regular creator of profound and often winning political speeches.
His success as probably the first to make a career of political speech creation has led political leaders of all parties to attempt to duplicate Freudy by hiring speech specialists of their own. This was prompted by the obvious influence Freudy’s speeches provided those utilizing them. Those seeking their own “Freudy” have not been successful.
ERIC WALSH. Vale Graham Freudenberg . | John Menadue – Pearls ...
Laurie Oakes has called Graham Freudenberg “the greatest speechwriter this country has produced”
DAVID POPE on ‘The Freudenberg’. (Canberra Times 27.7.2019)
RACE MATHEWS. Graham Freudenberg.
When I heard the news of Graham Freudenberg’s death last week I wept. Not just for the passing of this generous, passionate, erudite and supremely eloquent man, but for the dreams and hopes that were shared by those of us who worked for Gough Whitlam as Leader of the Opposition from 1967 to 1972. Continue reading
Legendary Labor speechwriter Graham Freudenberg was at the centre of power for more than 40 years. ..
*Graham Freudenberg, revered Labor speechwriter, dies aged 85 ..
Revered political speechwriter Graham Freudenberg dies after ...
One of Australia's most celebrated political speechwriters, Graham Freudenberg, has died. Mr Freudenberg worked for a number of Labor ...
It was Freudenberg by Freudenberg on Freudenberg. The occasion was the presentation of ALP life ...
The death of Graham Freudenberg on Friday severs a link extending back through modern Labor history to the party's darkest days of unreconstructed impotence under opposition leader Arthur Calwell in the early 1960s.
The death of Graham Freudenberg on Friday severs a link extending back through modern Labor history to the party's darkest days of unreconstructed impotence under opposition leader Arthur Calwell in the early 1960s.
GRAHAM FREUDENBERG - Media Dragon
Michael Egan, in the front of the above image, is the only man in the world to report that he read the Cold River Twice ...
THE SCRIBE - a portrait of the master speechwriter Graham ... - Filmink
THE HON BOB CARR. Tribute to Graham Freudenberg.
The speech arrived on the Premier’s desk already clipped into the black leather folder. Did my staff realise that coming from the pen of the master and being a speech of welcome to a US President I would be disinclined to change a word? If so, their instincts were right. Two weeks after Bill Clinton in 1996 had been re-elected as President he and Hillary were in Sydney and without effort or fanfare- or even a word with me- Graham Freudenberg served up eight paragraphs that met the occasion of an official welcome speech with grace and historical resonance. Continue reading
Back in 1980s and 1990s, I was lucky to share walks with Graham ("Freudy") as I used to take June's cocker spaniel, Rosie, for a walk and Graham had also a constitutional routine with his border collie --- as June and Graham together with Graeme Wedderburn and Nick
Greiner were neighbours in Woollahra. Gabbie and Sasha were fond of
Graham's stories and sense of humour ... He even had opinions on water
beds, he predicted their demise 20 years ago The rise and fall of the waterbed
The Australian - 26 Jul 2019
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JOHN MENADUE. Vale Graham Freudenberg
A dear friend and colleague, Graham Freudenberg, died this morning at the Redcliffe Hospital. He was admired and will be mourned by many people who knew him personally and a great number of people who knew him in public recognition of his work.
Throughout his long illness, he remained courageous and concerned for people around him, and particularly for the Labor Party that he loved. As he physically declined, the strength of his inner life became even more apparent. He was delighted that, in his last week of life he could see again ‘The Scribe’ on ABC TV.
His close friends and family, and Australians generally, have been privileged to know Graham Freudenberg.
John Menadue
CAROL SUMMERHAYES. Vale Graham Freudenberg.
Graham revealed in his memoir that he wrote his first speech in Brisbane in May 1945, aged 10, at the time of VE Day, and delivered it to his mother. In 1946 he scored a job with ABC Radio reading scripts of school broadcasts – “I learned a lot about the use of English written to be spoken”. He didn’t know then that this experience would be life-forming: his speeches over the years stand out as words meant to be heard as well as to be read, a different sort of writing altogether.
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SUSAN RYAN. Vale Graham Freudenberg.
Anyone who has heard of Graham Freudenberg, and most aware Australians have, think of him not so much as an individual , but in association with the great men, the massive political personalities whom he served.
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ERIC WALSH. Vale Graham Freudenberg .
The family of Graham Freudenberg, his influential political contacts, his many friends and admirers, the Australian Labor Party and Australia itself are diminished by his passing after a long illness. Continue reading
References on MEDIA DRAGON ...
Power of words Graham Freudenberg has always been nocturnal.
Graham Freudenberg: revered Labor speechwriter on Google
Graham Freudenberg: revered Labor speechwriter on Google
Stephen Mills, via
Inside Story
A former colleague
pays tribute to renowned Labor speechwriter Graham Freudenberg.