John Curtin – Socialism, South by Southwest
By Peter Beilharz John Curtin’s reputation rests on the years of his Prime Ministership. The Marxism and radicalism of his youth are less well recognised. These reflections, originally delivered as a
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Sean Scalmer, Democratic Adventurer: Graham Berry and the Making of Australian Politics
Sean Scalmer, Democratic Adventurer: Graham Berry and the Making of Australian Politics (Clayton: Monash University Publishing, 2020), 349. pp. $39.95 Paper. (Review) Carolyn Rasmussen In 1969 I chose
Centenary of the foundation of the Communist Party of Australia
Via Carmel Shute: There is a lot happening! BOOK: This collection of biographies of 100 Australian communists celebrates the foundation of the Communist Party of Australia (CPA) a century ago. Watch
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The Gloves Come Off – The 1970 Moratorium and the Limits of Tolerance
On 18 September Moratorium marchers encountered a determined effort by the police to reassert their ‘dictatorship of the streets’. This might have been expected to occur most virulently in Brisbane and Melbourne but it was in Sydney and Adelaide that the police were most vicious, attacking demonstrators with pre-planned clockwork precision. … Continue readingThe Gloves Come Off – The 1970 Moratorium and the Limits of Tolerance
Portrait of an activist: Elizabeth Vassilieff
Elizabeth Orme Hamill, née Sutton, was a 31-year-old teacher, writer and divorcee when they met in Warrandyte. Although Danila had an anti-communist background – he fought with the Whites during the civil war in Russia and was captured by the Reds[3] – Elizabeth, both during their marriage and well beyond, was not only an artist in her own right, but an activist in the peace movement and the Communist Party. … Continue readingPortrait of an activist: Elizabeth Vassilieff
Jack Mundey
The green bans preserved much in the built and natural environments and prompted important improvements to the culture of town planning, and environment and heritage legislation at State and federal levels. Mundey’s impact was profound. His commitment to the working-class and conviction about its vital ecological role made him an especially effective force for good. … Continue readingJack Mundey
Book Launch: Graham Berry and the Making of Australian Politics
Join us for the launch of Sean Scalmer’s new book on Graham Berry. Three time premier of Victoria, Berry was a hugely influential figure on Australia’s early political life. Democratic
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‘Taking to the Streets against the Vietnam War’: A Timeline History of Australian Protest 1962-1972
On this, the 50th anniversary of the 8 May 1970 Moratorium, we publish Ken Mansell’s “‘Taking to the Streets against the Vietnam War’: A Timeline History of Australian Protest 1962-1972”, which takes you through the myriad protests and events that led to the largest demonstrations Australia had ever seen. … Continue reading‘Taking to the Streets against the Vietnam War’: A Timeline History of Australian Protest 1962-1972
Becoming John Curtin and James Scullin
This year marks 75 years since the death of John Curtin. The Melbourne Branch’s Dr. Liam Byrne has written the forthcoming biography of John Curtin and James Scullin, being published
Childe Unbound
By Rowan Cahill What follows is in part a review, but also a commentary, and it benefits from the perspective of an insider. As Terry Irving notes in his Acknowledgements