Canberra on May 22 this year was dark and cold, clothed in signature autumn gloom. The early dark and chill air provided a stark contrast to the effervescent warmth of the champagne-fuelled celebrations inside Old Parliament House. The occasion was a gala event to mark the 75th anniversary of a radio broadcast by the founder of the Liberal Party, Sir Robert Menzies.

Although, during his period in the political wilderness after he ignominiously relinquished the prime ministership, Menzies regularly delivered polemics on what Australians of that era knew as the "wireless", it was that particular broadcast, on radio 2UE, on the evening of May 22, 1942, which referred to the "Forgotten People" that achieved immortality.

Illustration: Simon Letch

It echoes down the years. More often quoted than read, it is as close to a Liberal canon as a party with a thin intellectual tradition possesses. Every incumbent leader and most aspirants at some point feel obliged to invoke Menzies' phrase.

On this lavish occasion no expense was spared to pay due homage to the founder of Australia's most enduring and credible centre-right party. Actor Peter Cousens was engaged to recite Menzies' words, using a period radio set especially created for the event. The Godfather of the Liberal Party, Alan Jones, was a witty host but also a firm disciplinarian. He ushered the cast of Coalition luminaries – John Howard, Brendan Nelson, Malcolm Turnbull, Tony Abbott and a raft of cabinet ministers – to their seats and imposed order with an iron fist, even insisting on commencing without some cabinet ministers who were detained at the new Parliament House, where the business of government continued.