Marriage Equality Campaign Timeline and Reflections
A timeline of events related to the Australian campaign for marriage equality along with reflection and analysis related to Australian, Irish and US campaigns.
Topic
History
This topic focuses on Australian social movement history. There is so much to learn from the stories of past collective action for social and ecological justice. Learning social movement history can provide insights about strategy, a vast toolbox of potential tactics, and abundant inspiration.
Noonkanbah 1979: When Unionists Stood up for Aboriginal Rights
The Noonkanbah dispute was an important chapter in both the struggle for Australian Aboriginal rights and union solidarity in the 1970s-80s.
Blockades that changed Australia
Blockades that changed Australia including Jabiluka, the Bentley blockade, S11, Nookanbah 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 the Campaign Against Nuclear Energy in Australia CANE and People for Nuclear Disarmament 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 […]
A History of LGBTIQ+ Victoria in 100 Places and Objects
A report about the rich, diverse and unique history of queer communities in Victoria reflected in places, objects and landscapes.
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
Why two Western Australian social movement organisations on opposite sides of the logging debate continued to contest WA’s forest policy for so long.
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.
Om gaia dudes: The North East Forest Alliance’s old-growth forest campaign
This book chapter by Aidan Ricketts is about the key moments and positive sides of the old forest growth campaign in northern NSW in the 1990s.
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.
Books about Women & Leadership
Five books recommended by participants and convenors of Women’s Environmental Leadership Australia. This list includes comprehensive discussions about women’s leadership, practical guides, and two memoirs from inspiring women leaders.
Films about Women and 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.
Aboriginal Memoirs as Social Activism
Telling your own story is powerful! This article includes excerpts from papers related to Aboriginal memoir, links to four memoirs by Aboriginal Australians, and where to find more. Please note:Â Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people should be aware that this website may contain images, voices or names of deceased persons in photographs, film, audio recordings […]
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.
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.