Mike Rann on 'maestro of the possible' 100 years after Don Dunstan's birth - ABC News & Headlines – Australian Broadcasting Corporation

Don Dunstan, who died in 1999, was a member of parliament for 25 years. (Supplied: Flinders University)

As South Australians commemorate 100 years since their most influential premier was born, a former political heavyweight has recalled his own entry to politics under the man's leadership.

Don Dunstan was SA's trailblazing Labor premier between 1967-68 and 1970-1979, a leader who championed social justice and the arts, and turned Adelaide into a national cultural centre that punched well above its weight.

Mike Rann was a three-term premier for the state Labor Party between 2002 and 2011, making him the third-longest serving premier in the state's history.

Mr Rann said he had been studying Australian history and politics at university in New Zealand and found Don Dunstan to be somebody who "stood out" among a "fairly deary lot".

He successfully applied to work in SA at the Unit for Industrial Democracy in the premier's department and at the age of 24 was notified that Mr Dunstan's speechwriter had resigned.

"Someone said to me, 'Look, you won't get the job, but he should get to know you, so why don't you apply for the position?'" Mr Rann told 891 ABC Adelaide.

Mr Dunstan ushered him into a room while wearing a white safari suit, before they sat down for a "charming" and "wonderful conversation".

"Then suddenly there was a tap on the door and his secretary said [former Australian prime minister] Gough Whitlam is here," Mr Rann said.

"So I'm being interviewed and terrified, and then I've got Gough Whitlam sitting there as well."

Mike Rann in 2008 during his time as SA premier. (ABC News)

Mr Dunstan had to step out for an ABC interview, leaving Mr Rann with Mr Whitlam, "who turned to me and said, 'Who the hell are you?'"

"I said I was from New Zealand and was applying for a job with Mr Dunstan.

"He said, 'You're wasting your time here, young man. Go east. Go east. Come to Sydney'.

"Dunstan came back and said the interview was concluded, with Gough still there, and then they asked me if I'd like to come out to dinner.

Mr Rann was appointed to be Dunstan's press secretary, speechwriter and head of the government's media operations for what he described as a "wild ride".

Emeritus Professor of Politics and International Relations at Adelaide University Clem Macintyre said Mr Dunstan's flagship reforms, first as attorney-general and then as premier, included the nation's first land rights and anti-discrimination laws for Aboriginals, the liberalisation of drinking hours in restaurants and pubs, and the decriminalisation of homosexuality — Australia's first jurisdiction to do so — in 1975.

Don Dunstan was also renowned for his outfits, such as the pink shorts he famously wore to parliament. (Supplied: Flinders University Library Dunstan collection)

"He was a transformative premier in South Australia in lots of ways and I think, arguably, set a lead for a number of other states as well in terms of social changes that were coming in the 60s and 70s," Dr Macintyre told 891 ABC Adelaide.

"In many respects, South Australia was a very conservative, inwardly-looking state in the 1950s into the early 1960s under the long-serving premier Tom Playford, who had built some very strong economic foundations.

"Then Dunstan, when he finally became premier in the mid-60s, really began to change the place and, particularly in that second term from 1970 onwards, initiated lots of reforms that really we still see signs of today."

Mr Rann said Mr Dunstan saw that a small jurisdiction like South Australia could be a pace-setter for reform both nationally and internationally and was not afraid to stick his neck out.

"He was prepared to take risks, but he was also prepared to lead, rather than follow, and that's what South Australia was like in the 1890s."

After all, among other reforms, South Australia had been the first jurisdiction in the world to give women the vote in 1894, and the right to stand in parliament on equal terms.

"He wanted us to be a destination again, a place that attracted people from all over who were interested in actual reforms and doing things differently and better," Mr Rann said.

Queen Elizabeth II with former premier Don Dunstan while visiting Rundle Mall in 1977. (Supplied: University of Melbourne Archives)

A trained actor, Mr Dunstan was also a champion of the arts and raised money for and overlooked the opening of Adelaide Festival Centre, where the Dunstan Playhouse was later named in his honour, and established the SA Film Corporation.

He also closed a section of Rundle Street to cars and created Rundle Mall, which opened 50 years ago in 1976.

"He was very flamboyant and, while he was interesting, at parties, dinner parties, he would often be the shyest person there," Mr Rann said.

"But when he was on stage or on television, he had this incredible ability to sum up complicated arguments and punch them through."

Mike Rann, pictured during an event hosted by The Australia Institute last November, now chairs the UK board of the not-for-profit Climate Group. (ABC News: Steve Opie)

An exhibition, Don Dunstan: 100 Years, presented by the City of Norwood Payneham & St Peters, Don Dunstan Foundation and Centre of Democracy, is being held at The Gallery adjoining St Peters Library.

With personal items donated by those close to Dunstan, the council says visitors will be able to gain unique insights into his life, passions and personality, and "reflect on the ideas, courage and creativity of a leader whose vision helped shape modern South Australia and continues to inspire today".

The exhibition runs until November 7.