From Little Things Big Things Grow, Events That Changed Australia: July
A list of some of the small actions and major events from social movement history during the month of July.
Tag
History – Australia
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.
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.
“When the bombs drop, school stops” – Eight decades of Australian school strikes and direct action
Australia has a long history of students walking out of the classroom to demand change. A timeline of Australian school strikes from the 1930s until 2019.
Performing Political History: An interview with Gary Foley
An interview with Professor Gary Foley about using creative practice to bring attention to the political challenges facing Aboriginal people in Australia.
Listen and watch 40 years of Australian blockading songs
A list of songs from the last 40 years of the environmental movement in Australia including the Terania and Franklin River blockades.
30 years of Creative Resistance
’30 years of Creative Resistance’ is a compilation of writing and art celebrating the work of Friends of the Earth Australia over the last thirty years.
From Little Things Big Things Grow Events That Changed Australia
A list of small actions and major events which challenged the state of Australian society and pointed to better ways forward.
Lessons that can be learnt from dockworkers who helped bring apartheid to its knees
Article about the transnational solidarity activism of maritime unions and how the actions of dockworkers in Australia helped drive the local and national anti-apartheid movement.
Effective action for social change: The campaign to save the Franklin River
Learn lessons from one of the largest & most successful nonviolent direct action environmental protests in Australian history – the Franklin River campaign.
Treesits, lock-ons and barricades: Environmental blockading in the 1980s
From 1979 to the 1990s Australia, Canadian and American activists took part in a series of environmental blockades to defend old growth forests, rivers and other biodiverse places. Join Iain McIntyre for a series of conversations with the blockaders who took part in these campaigns.
Always look on the bright side of life The AIDEX ’91 story
In 1991 over 1000 protesters blockaded the National Exhibition Centre in Canberra with the goal of shutting down the Australia International Defence Exhibition. This book includes a detailed account of the blockade, the context of the growth of the Australian arms industry, and the words of the protesters themselves.
The radical history of unemployed activism
Insights from the history of unemployed activism. Includes an overview of the history of Australia’s welfare system and stories from the 1920s, 1980s, 1990s and early 2000s – plus creative, humorous and confrontational tactics.