Australian
Screen

Teacher’s notes

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This clip shows scenes that illustrate the character of Billy Hughes, a former prime minister of Australia, and his relationship with his private secretary, Percy Deane. A long shot shows Hughes (Martin Vaughan) teeing off on a golf course. Next, Deane (Harold Hopkins) and Hughes search for his lost golf ball, and Hughes’s frustrated search is accompanied by remarks to Deane about his intention to resign. To move the game along Deane substitutes a ball but Hughes rejects it. Deane’s voice is heard describing the events following the resignation.

Educational value points

• The footage portrays Australian prime minister William ‘Billy’ Hughes (1862–1952) at a key point in his career. He had just been defeated in the second referendum on conscription held during his time as prime minister. Having pledged during the campaign that his government would not continue without the power to conscript, he intended to resign. He did so but the governor-general recommissioned Hughes when it was clear that there was no alternative leader.

• In this fictionalised presentation of historical figures, the filmmaker’s point of view must be separated from historical reality. Although Hughes had not taken up golf at the time depicted, the game is used to illustrate his determination, persistence and irascibility as he searches for his missing ball. The scene’s key moment occurs when he rejects Deane’s ball. Although he pockets the ball, his refusal to accept it as his own is presented as an indication of his honesty.

• Hughes is a controversial figure in Australian political history. Prime minister from 1915 until 1923 – first as Labor leader and then in coalition – he was committed to Australia’s involvement in the First World War and was expelled from and subsequently split the Labor Party over his instigation of two failed bills in support of conscription. He was a powerful orator and his pugnacity and shrewdness stood him in good stead as a union organiser and political leader.

• The role of Percy Deane (1890–1946) as depicted in the clip reflects some of what is known of his life. He was appointed private secretary to prime minister Hughes in November 1916 and their relationship was based on mutual affection and respect. According to his wife, Deane felt his association with Hughes was the ‘greatest and most satisfying thing that had ever happened to him’ (http://www.adb.online.anu.edu.au). This close relationship gave him influence over Hughes and aroused political jealousies.

• The clip demonstrates the use of careful framing to focus on and reinforce key points in the narrative. A long shot sets the action in motion. Hughes’s closeness to the camera conveys his exasperation as he searches for the ball. Deane is in the background, witness to events but not a key player. A close-up shows Hughes’s face when he rejects Deane’s ball. The final shots, mostly from Deane’s viewpoint, show Hughes’s persistence, reinforced in Deane’s narration.

• Hughes twice put his political career on the line because of the issue of conscription. The first time, in October 1916, he believed reinforcements were urgently needed after seeing Australian troops in English hospitals and in the trenches in France. A referendum held on conscription was defeated. In December 1917, as leader and thinking the War was going against the Allies, Hughes once again held a referendum on conscription. It was defeated by a larger majority.