For everyone My Favourite Things: The Commons Social Change Library
Preparing to campaign for a cause or planning a lesson on the history of political activism? The Commons Social Change Library is your one-stop shop, offering a wealth of knowledge and a fascinating insight into the history of protest in Australia. Here’s a mere taste of its cracking yarns and some fun teaching resources.
A HISTORY of teachers fighting for social justice
Revolution is for us
GAY LIBERATION, UNIONS AND THE LEFT IN THE 1970s
During the 70s, Penny Short was kicked out of her teaching trainee course for writing a poem about same-sex desire. The NSW Teachers Federation pledged its support, the Builders Labourers Federation threatened to stop work, and fellow student-teachers protested outside the Education Department. Meanwhile, in Queensland, Greg Weir was denied employment as a teacher and waged his own campaign for gay rights.
Supporting Indigenous land rights
THE NATIONAL MORATORIUM FOR BLACK RIGHTS
On 14 July 1972, as part of a national Moratorium for Black Rights, 500 Indigenous Australians led a march numbering 6000 from Redfern into central Sydney under the banner of “Ningla-na – we are hungry for our land”. Amongst the crowd were students, labourers, ship painters, dock workers, teachers and others who undertook a half-day strike in support of Indigenous rights.
Brave Enough to Say ‘No’
WILLIAM WHITE AND THE FIGHT AGAINST MILITARY CONSCRIPTION
During the Vietnam War, William (Bill) White (above) was a schoolteacher who lost his job with the NSW Education Department because of his stance against conscription.
In November 1965, White applied to be registered as a conscientious objector, stating his inability “with a clear conscience, [to] kill a person, or be part of any organisation that is able or willing to kill or make war.” A group of parents, teachers, students and other supporters formed the Bill White Defence Committee to support him through his long-running legal battle.
Chaining themselves to the cause
FROM LITTLE THINGS BIG THINGS GROW
After hearing about now-legendary activist Zelda D’Aprano’s act of chaining herself to the Commonwealth Building to demand equal pay for women, school teachers Alva Geikie and Thelma Solomon joined her second stunt, chaining themselves to the Arbitration Court on 31 October 1969.
The trio undertook the action on the day of a statewide teachers strike so that Alva and Thelma wouldn’t be penalised.
Alva and Thelma went on to join other stunts led by Zelda (above, with activist Bon Hull) such as only paying 75% of the tram fare to highlight that they were paid 75% of the wage earned by their male co-workers.
Useful resources
Facilitation/groupwork teaching
- Questioning for Learning, Co-creation and Liberation
- The Spiral Model: A Learning Framework
- The Learning Zone Model
- The Creativity and Skill of Co-Facilitation
- The Art and Craft of Training Workshop Design
- The SCARF Model for Psychological Safety in Groups
- Online Training Monster Manual
Political campaigning
Creative activism
- A Better World is Paintable: How to make banners, stencils, street murals, parachute banners, and more!
- Creative Activism Starts Here
