Introduction
A collection of resources about the Franklin River Dam campaign and protests.
What can you take out of this for today? That you can make a difference. That you should work for something you believe in and not give up. – Cathie Plowman, Franklin campaigner
Watch
Film – Franklin: A Journey to the Past a Quest for the Future, Rock Island Bend Productions, 2022
Eighth-generation Tasmanian and environmentalist Oliver Cassidy embarks on a life-changing solo rafting trip down the beautiful yet remote Franklin River. His goal is to retrace his late father’s 14-day expedition to attend the blockade that saved the World-Heritage listed national park from being destroyed by a huge hydroelectric dam project in the early 1980s. Featuring never-before-seen archival footage and interviews with key players such as Bob Brown and Uncle Jim Everett, the eight-year-long ‘Franklin campaign’ is revealed as the most significant environmental protest in Australia’s history; an inspiring example of the power of non-violent direct action to bring about lasting change. Physically challenged beyond his limits, Oliver’s journey is one of healing and deeper understanding as he searches for the right way to say ‘goodbye’ to his father. Listen to a podcast about this film on ABC Radio National. Watch the film.
Documentary – The Franklin River Blockade, The Wilderness Society, 2006
Watch a 20-minute documentary, including footage of various blockade actions. It can be viewed in two parts.
The Story of the Tasmanian Dam Case, Chris McGrath, 2015
The story of the Tasmanian Dam case in 1983 from a lecture on Commonwealth environmental laws at The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia, given by Dr Chris McGrath in 2015.
Read
Unpublished Book – Effective action for social change: The campaign to save the Franklin River
This publication written in 1986 by 5 activists who were involved delves deeply into the history of the Franklin Dam campaign and the differing methods of organisations and tactics that activists used, including in relation to the 1983 election. See Timeline on pages 10 – 11 in PDF.
Case Study – Tasmanian Wilderness Society blocks dam construction (Franklin River Campaign) 1981-83
Brief case study of the campaign from the Global NonViolent Action Database.
Book – UpRiver: Untold stories of the Franklin River Activists
Read more about the blockade – In 2013 Franklin blockader Alice Hungerford produced the book UpRiver: Untold stories of the Franklin River activists. Including numerous photos this oral history brings together memories from the group of activists who camped in the forest for months on end to support and organise daily blockading actions.
Newspaper Article – From the Archives, 1983: Franklin Dam protests turn ugly, Sydney Morning Herald
Step back in time by reading this newspaper article from The Age on January 14, 1983, titled ‘Boat runs through dam protesters’.
The greatest environmental battle in Australian history was also its greatest act of civil disobedience. But the story of saving the Franklin runs far longer, and involves far more people, than its best remembered element, the blockade.
Key Franklin campaigners share what they learnt. The following quote and Cathy Plowman’s quote at the top of this page are drawn from the article.
The ground rules are collaboration and respect. It means that people working together, being astute and being respectful, can leave the world a better place. – Karen Alexander
Court Case – Commonwealth v Tasmania (“Tasmanian Dam case”) [1983] HCA 21; (1983) 158 CLR 1 (1 July 1983)
Read the legal judgment of the Tasmanian Dam Case.
Thesis – The Right of Protest: Responses to the Franklin Campaign
Thesis by Claire Runciman.
To conclude then, while the Franklin blockade demonstrates the limitations of protest in Australia it shows that symbolic protest can influence important decisions. Symbolic protest will be of use to protesters in a limited set of circumstances.
Listen
Song – Let the Franklin Flow
Podcast – Franklin Dam
A short podcast on the Australian Franklin River Dam protests including, what happened, who was involved and what changed in Australia as a result.
Teaching Resources
- Franklin River for Kids, National Museum of Australia
Years 3 – 6 - Fight for the Franklin, Digital Classroom, National Museum of Australia
Year 6 – 10, Civics and Citizenship, History, Geography - Nationwide: Franklin River campaign, ABC Education
Years 9 – 10, Civics and Citizenship History - Protesting the Franklin Dam, National Archives of Australia
Year 10, History - The Franklin River Debate, 1983 – Historic Parliamentary Role Play, Museum of Australian Democracy
Years 5 – 8 - Documentary on ClickView, Getting Things Done, Series: Discovering Democracy
Rated G, Video – 25:29 mins, 1998, (need login for ClickView) - Getting Things Done, 2020 (Quick outline of campaign with images and task) and Audio – Chris Arthur recalls the Franklin River campaign, 2008, Scootle, Education Services Australia
Years 8 – 10, History - The Franklin River: Resources for Teachers
Easy Read
Here is an Easy Read Guide called The Franklin River Story. Easy Read uses clear, everyday language matched with images to make sure everyone understands.
- Click to open PDF: The Franklin River Story
- Click to open Word version (no pictures): The Franklin River Story
Explore Further
- Franklin Dam and the Greens, The National Museum of Australia
- Timeline of the Franklin Dam Controversy
- Natural Law: When the future of Tasmania’s wild Franklin River seemed dire, Geoff Law and others fought to save it. How did they succeed in 1983, and what can we learn from them today?
- Blockading related resources in the Commons Library
- Non Violent Direct Action resources in the Commons Library