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One Brief Interval

A Memoir

Sir Edward Woodward

The former Chancellor of the University of Melbourne, Sir Edward Woodward, looks back on his life--both public and private--from a childhood during World War II to the present day.

Opinion

“In such a long and varied career, Woodward has rubbed shoulders with, or at least encountered, most of the movers and shakers.”
“a good read for anyone interested in the many issues spanned by Woodward’s activities, and as a lesson in how much can be packed into ‘one brief interval’.”
(Michelle Grattan, The Sunday Age, 27/11/05)

“This memoir by Sir Edward Woodward, one-time head of ASIO, has generated interest for its tart observations about Malcom Fraser and intriguing insights into the shadowy world of the domestic spy agency. Yet there is far more richness to the book than this.”
(Deborah Snow - a Herald journalist, Spectrum, 19-20 November 2005)

About this Title

The former Chancellor of the University of Melbourne, Sir Edward Woodward, looks back on his life-both public and private-from a childhood during World War II to the present day. He recounts memories of his education at Melbourne Grammar and Melbourne University; his experiences as a young lawyer; his illustrious legal career as he rose from barrister to Queen's Counsel to judge; his appointment as head of ASIO between 1976 and 1981; his continuing relationship with Melbourne University, as lecturer in the Law School and as chancellor throughout the 1990s. In the background, but as notable, are the achievements of his family life--as son, husband, father and grandfather.

Over the decades, Woodward was involved in some of the most significant Royal Commissions that were held, including the investigation into Aboriginal Land Rights, and mixed with the prominent legal and political figures of the period, such as Billy Snedden, John Kerr, Malcolm Fraser, Bob Hawke and Gough Whitlam. In One Brief Interval, he casts a clear and perceptive eye over people, power and politics in Australia in the past fifty years.

About the Author

Sir Edward Woodward has had a long and active public life. He has practised as a barrister, QC and judge in Melbourne; been instrumental in numerous Royal Commissions and served as head of ASIO between 1976 and 1981. During the 1990s he was Chancellor of the University of Melbourne.

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978-0-522-85163-2