Born in Perth in 1906, Dame Rachel Cleland has long been respected as a matriarch of the Liberal Party. She worked closely with her late husband Don who was a founding member of the party and Administrator of Papua New Guinea from 1952 to 1966. Although a traditionalist, she has remained strongly individualistic. At 93 she opposed other conservatives when she supported environmental protesters campaigning to preserve Western Australian forests. In this revealing interview, she shares her views on contemporary issues and reflects on the changes she has seen in our national life.

(2002, 26 mins) A Film Australia National Interest Program.

© National Film and Sound Archive of Australia.