(insert b l o g s p o t without the spaces where the stars are to see it)
The stamps on the flight plan are the generic stamp applied to show what pre-flight briefing material was supplied/discussed at the planning stage, and the date/time group stamped on it when it was submitted. The Operational Approval field is blank, has no approval or void time and the signature field for the ATC is blank. This flight plan was in no way subject to any form of control, except for the normal briefing requirements that it met the relevant regulations.
Yes, back then there was Operational Control by ATC over certain classes of operation, but this was not one of them (was only IFR in CTA if I recall correctly). And yes, it was paternalistic, and one of the first things to go, although from memory it went prior to Dick having any involvement.
Back in the day, Australia's FIS system was very similar to Canada's. Huge airspace, not much radar or CTA, and what there was of it all concentrated in a small area.