Mr. Whitlam passed away last Tuesday (October 21) at the age of 98.

After picking the brain of former Advertiser editor Bruce Wilson (still just as sharp as ever), a trip to the local archives at Cessnock Library revealed a very interesting story regarding a visit Mr. Whitlam made to Cessnock in the 1970s.

While he had travelled to Kurri as opposition leader in 1972, Mr. Whitlam’s only visit to the area as the Prime Minister occurred in February 1974 and involved one very lucky Cessnock couple.

Kay Newton, a nurse, and Ken Jackson, a local coal miner, were all set to be married on February 16, 1974 at Cessnock Town Hall.

But after picking up their wedding invitations from the printers in Maitland one day, the happy couple returned home to find a message on their answering machine.

They were told that the venue had been double-booked and arrangements had to quickly be made to find a suitable replacement.

Little did they know at the time that the reason for the double booking was a scheduled visit of the then Prime Minister, Gough Whitlam, who was to attend the Cessnock Spastic Council’s annual Vintage Banquet along with his wife Margaret.

This would become Cessnock’s first visit by a Prime Minister in more than 20 years and would end up being the icing on the cake for the Jacksons’ special day.

Fortunately the couple were able to move their wedding to the Cessnock Police Boys Club, and just days before the big day were also invited to the banquet.

So just hours after saying their “I-do’s”, the couple made the trip over to Cessnock Town Hall where they received a standing ovation from over 450 guests, including the Prime Minister of Australia.

The Jacksons recalled the meet and greet as being “quite surreal”.

“The Prime Minister gave me a kiss on the cheek, and before we knew it they were raising their glasses and making a toast in our honour,” Mrs. Jackson said.

“We made small talk for about 10 minutes but we were both so nervous.”

“It is not every day that you meet the Prime Minister of Australia,” Mr. Jackson added. 

An article that appeared in The Advertiser on February 21, 1974 titled ‘PM toasts newlyweds’ recalled how Mr. Whitlam spoke briefly at the dinner, mentioning the rapid growth of the local wine industry, and that the Whitlams wound up their relaxed weekend with an informal barbecue lunch at the Rothbury Estate, Pokolbin.

As for the Jacksons, they said it was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to have the Prime Minister be part of their wedding and they were both very saddened by his death. 

“I think he had a very rough trot,” Mr. Jackson said.

“He was very much ahead of his time and with all the things he was able to achieve in spite of that.”

The Jacksons celebrated their 40th wedding anniversary in February and when looking at their wedding photos said that they can’t believe it has been that long. 

They have lived in West Cessnock their entire married life, raising their two children Libby-Jane and Emma.

Mr. Jackson said that the topic of Gough Whitlam has won him plenty of bets over the years, with the couple never short of an interesting story to share at dinner parties. 

“I always say to mates, I bet you don’t believe that Gough Whitlam was part of my wedding,” he joked.

“And when they don’t believe me, I just pull out the photos.”

A state memorial service for Gough Whitlam will be held in Sydney on Wednesday, November 5.

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The Advertiser on February 21, 1974

P.M toasts newlyweds

Mr. and Mrs. Kenneth Jackson, had an extra special wedding present – a toast to their health by the Prime Minister and Mrs. Whitlam.

They also received a standing ovation from more than 450 guests at Cessnock Spastic Council’s annual Vintage Banquet at Cessnock Town Hall.

The reason – the Jacksons had given up the Cessnock Town Hall for their wedding reception to enable Cessnock to have its first visit by a Prime Minister in 20 years.

The Jacksons were invited to the banquet after their wedding to meet Mr. and Mrs. Whitlam and to receive their best wishes.

The Vintage Banquet had been planned for February 23, but February 16 was the only date Mr. and Mrs. Whitlam – just back from an Asian tour – were free.

Mrs. Jackson (formerly Kay Newton, a nurse at Cessnock hospital), and Mr. Jackson (a mine employee), held their reception at the Cessnock Police Boys Club instead.

The Jackson’s thoughtfulness had an extra bonus, Mr. and Mrs. Whitlam’s presence enabled the Spastic Council, led by Mrs. Roberta Thomas, to stage their biggest banquet.

And this result will make the Spastic children whom the centre supports, especially happy.

Mr. Whitlam was welcomed to the city by the Mayor of Greater Cessnock, Ald. Bob Brown.

He spoke only briefly at the dinner, mentioning the rapid growth of the wine industry and the strength this adds to the district and to Australia.

On Sunday, the Whitlams wound up a relaxed weekend with an informal barbecue lunch at the Rothbury Estate, Pokolbin.

Mr. Whitlam helped with the cooking and both he and his wife chatted with many guests.

Mr. and Mrs. Jackson are pictured in this Norma Davis photograph with Mr. and Mrs. Whitlam in the background.