Dunstan’s Children

Sun, 24 May 2026 (1:00 pm - 4:00 pm)Australia/Adelaide

Hetzel Lecture Theatre
State Library of South Australia, North Terrace, Adelaide SA, Australia

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Description

Dunstan’s Children

Presented by Festival Hellenika and South Australia’s History Festival.

Don Dunstan, premier of South Australia (1967 – 1968, 1970 – 1979), is renowned for his pioneering social, legal and cultural reforms, many of which were eventually adopted by the rest of Australia. “We are all Don’s Children”. These are the words that were spoken by Don Dunstan’s son at his father’s funeral, as a part of his eulogy. South Australians, including ethnic and minority groups, along with Greek Australians, remain the beneficiaries of Dunstan’s progressive policies.

He was a philhellene who admired Greek culture, from its ancient wisdom to its folk traditions. Indeed, Adelaide during the Dunstan decade, became known as the “Athens of the South”, marking a golden age for the State. This Greek Australian tribute event will feature distinguished speakers who will discuss Dunstan’s trailblazing policies. Proceeds will be donated to the Don Dunstan Foundation.

Guest Speakers include:

The Right Honourable Lord Mayor of Adelaide, Dr. Jane Lomax-Smith AM
Mr. John Kiosoglous MBE, KSA, AE, SM
Emeritus Professor of Classics at Adelaide University, Han Baltussen.

They will discuss Don Dunstan’s trailblazing policies, reforms and ideas, and how they’ve impacted the State and its people, including Greek Australians, as well as Dunstan’s philhellenism. Talks will be brief with allowance for questions from the audience, along with breaks for attendees to eat, drink, mingle and chat.

Food, wine and other beverages are included in the price of tickets.

Live entertainment with a guitar soloist playing easy-listening tunes from the seventies before the talks begin and during breaks.