July’s sessions included Melody’s focus on post Federation (1901) to World War One. The political, social and economic conditions of the time were explored. Topics included the three political parties and their ideologies that formed the first parliament. The white Australia policy, Aboriginal Protection Acts of the States, voting rights, working conditions, child labour laws, vagrancy laws and unemployment also featured. The thinking and ideological perspectives of the time were also discussed in terms of their relevance today.
Jane also contributed during July, providing two short presentations on Bruce Pascoe’s controversial book “Dark Emu: Black Seeds’ and Henry Reynolds’ seminal work “Truth Telling”. Jane described finding both books, which view old information through a different lens, energising in this year of a Referendum related to Australian First Nations people and the Constitution.
Melody Finnerty and Jane Rushworth
Jane also contributed during July, providing two short presentations on Bruce Pascoe’s controversial book “Dark Emu: Black Seeds’ and Henry Reynolds’ seminal work “Truth Telling”. Jane described finding both books, which view old information through a different lens, energising in this year of a Referendum related to Australian First Nations people and the Constitution.
Melody Finnerty and Jane Rushworth