Who disappeared whilst swimming near Melbourne on December 17th.1967?
Tony Eggleton 1965. When Menzies retired in January 1966, his successor Harold Holt kept Eggleton on. On 17 December 1967, Holt went swimming near the holiday resort of Portsea, south of Melbourne. He disappeared in the surf and despite an extensive search, his remains were never found. Eggleton became a public figure, frequently appearing on television, as he dealt with the intense domestic and international media interest in the search for Holt and subsequent events. Eggleton was retained as press secretary by Holt's successor, John Gorton, and in 1970 he played a leading role in organising the tour of Australia by Queen
Holt Government electorate (over 90% voted 'yes'). By the end of 1967, the Liberals initially popular support for the war in Vietnam was causing increasing public protest. On 17 December 1967, Holt disappeared in heavy surf while swimming off Cheviot Beach, near Melbourne, becoming the third Australian Prime Minister to die in office. He was not formally declared missing until 19 December. Country Party leader John McEwen served as Prime Minister from 19 December 1967 to 10 January 1968, pending the election of a new leader of the Liberal Party of Australia. McEwen ruled out maintaining the Coalition if deputy liberal leader