History Commons^™

An overview of the work of Australian activist/historian Iain McIntyre, and a review of his anthology On the Fly! Hobo Literature and Songs, 1879-1941 (PM Press, 2018)

An account of the origins, contexts, and fate of a 'lost' manuscript by Australian historian/civil libertarian Brian Fitzpatrick (1905-1965), produced during the early years of the Cold War, titled 'The Seamen's Union of Australia: A Short History'.

The Union of Australian Women (UAW) was a national organisation for left-wing women between World War II and the emergence of the women’s liberation movement. Along with other left-wing activists, UAW members supported Aboriginal rights, through their policies, publications and actions. They also attracted a number of Aboriginal members including Pearl Gibbs, Gladys O’Shane, Dulcie Flower and Faith Bandler. Focusing on NSW activity in the assimilation period, this article argues that the strong support of UAW members for Aboriginal rights drew upon the group’s establishment far-left politics, its relations with other women’s groups and the activism of its Aboriginal members. …

Review of the book by Pam Menzies, 'Port Kembla: A Memoir', an account of the history of the industrial town of Port Kembla on the South Coast of New South Wales, Australia. In the process of reviewing the book, Cahill ruminates on the nature of 'local history' as a cultural industry in Australia, and as a democratic activity.