Activist Archiving: Start Here
A list of articles and ideas from the Commons Librarians about resources to explore in archiving your work in social change.
Tag
History – Australia
Blockades that changed Australia
Learn about 8 blockades that changed Australia including Jabiluka, the Bentley blockade and the Knitting Nannas.
The Australian Movement against Uranium Mining: Its Rationale and Evolution
Historical overview of the Australian movement against uranium mining, focussed on two major campaigns: Roxby and Jabiluka.
Stepping Out For Peace: A History of CANE and PND (WA)
Introduction Stepping Out For Peace is an oral history of activism carried out by Western Australian groups People for Nuclear Disarmament (WA) and its forerunner the Campaign Against Nuclear Energy. It includes a detailed and heavily illustrated account of campaigns from the 1970s onwards against uranium mining, nuclear reactors, nuclear weapons, and militarism. In doing […]
Podcasts About Decolonisation, First Nations Justice and Invasion Day
People’s History of Australia-podcast and blog looking at Australian history from the perspective of ordinary people fighting together for a better life.
Reconciliation in the forest? An exploration of the conflict over the logging of native forests in the south west of Western Australia
This 2004 book looks at why two Western Australian social movement organisations on opposite sides of the logging debate continued to contest WA’s forest policy for so long. It contains insights into why the Western Australian environment movement was successful in some aspects of forest protection.
Project Iceberg: Fremantle’s response to visiting nuclear warships in the 1980s
A history of the unique nonviolent civil disobedience activities of a group of mainly Fremantle residents aimed at visiting US nuclear warships between 1983 and 1985.
Stories of Unemployed Activism from Radical Melbourne: 1906-1982
Introduction Four stories about actions – demonstrations, pickets, eviction resistance and occupations – that the unemployed people of Melbourne carried out from 1906 to 1982. These stories come from the Radical Melbourne 1 & 2 books by Jeff and Jill Sparrow, published by Vulgar Press in 2001 and 2004. The books feature dozens of stories […]
Resources About Australian Housing Justice and Unwaged Rights Campaigns
Resources focused on case studies and stories of how communities have organised to secure housing, financial and other support for the unwaged and those on low incomes.
Jim Munro and the Unemployed Workers Movement in the 1920s and 1930s
Jim Munro gives an account of how the Unemployed Workers Movement started and actions taken in the 1920s in Melbourne, Australia.
Squatting’s place in winning Emergency Housing, 1945-48
A talk about how the squatting of empty houses and military camps forced governments in Australia to provide emergency shelter in the 1940s.
The 1931 Perth Treasury Building Riot – Unemployed workers during the Great Depression
Unemployed workers during the Great Depression, the repression they faced, and the protests and tactics they used to fight for their rights.
Films about Women & Social Justice and change
An inspiring list of feature films and documentaries about women and social change including Women of Steel, Suffragette, Mission Blue, She’s Beautiful When She’s Angry and more.
Tactics in a time of physical distancing: Examples from Australia’s progressive past
In response to the Coronavirus pandemic the Commons is sharing protests, campaigns and events from the past which highlight ways we can undertake action whilst maintaining safe health practices and physical distance.
People’s History of Australia Podcast
People’s History of Australia-podcast and blog looking at Australian history from the perspective of ordinary people fighting together for a better life.
Films about social movement struggles, victories and leaders
Be inspired with this list of movies and documentaries about social movement struggles, victories and leaders – Selma, Milk, Silkwood, Norma Rae, Gandhi and more.
The Jabiluka Blockade – 22 years on
Do you know about one of Australia’s most effective anti-nuclear blockades? The Jabiluka blockade in 1998 stopped the Ranger Uranium Mine in Australia. This article includes the campaign timeline and many further resources.
Acting Up! Podcasts on 45 Years of Friends of the Earth
A 4 part podcast series from community radion station 3CR celebrating 45 years of direct action by environmental group, Friends of the Earth FOE.
Uncommon victories: Lessons from Warringah and Indi
In the 2019 Australian federal election, two local campaigns stood out. Two Independents, from two very different electorates, made history. We’re referring of course, to Indi in regional Victoria, and Warringah in Sydney.
Documenting social change in Australia: A list of archives at your fingertips
A list of mainly electronic archives that document social change in Australia. e.g Aboriginal History Archive, Women’s Web, Radical Times Archive, etc.