Melbourne, Victoria
Public hours at Solidarity Salon Wednesday 1 pm - 6 pm Thursday 1 pm - 6 pm Saturday 10 am - 5 pm
Study Groups Events Radical Women and Freedom Socialist Party
Saturday, 28 June, 6:30pm
Hidden History: True Stories from Seattle’s Gay and Lesbian EldersIn 1991, the Alice B. Theatre commissioned Drew Emery, who went on to produce the hit film, Inlaws and Outlaws, to write a theatre piece based on interviews with queers over 50 years of age. Hidden History tells the stories of five veterans. The cast — three women and two men — includes African-American nurse, Hurdie Styles, Radical Women member, Tamara Turner, and retired maritime unionist Steven Blair. Through personal stories the production delivers historical insights about the struggle for gay liberation. Launched in 1992, the play became the smash hit of Seattle’s Gay Pride celebrations.
The early ’90s were a battleground in the Pacific North West with the right wing mobilising to take back gains as well as to keep gay rights measures from passing wherever they appeared on the ballot. To fight back, the Alice B. Theatre won a grant to take the play on tour. Over the next two years, Hidden History played in community colleges and universities and dozens of small town theatres. The play was filmed during one performance. The moving hour-long performance will be the first shown on Solidarity Salon’s new big screen! Alison Thorne, a feminist and queer freedom fighter, who has been on the frontlines for three decades, will introduce this Melbourne premier screening.
Celebrate the 39th anniversary of the Stonewall riots, which kick started the modern gay liberation movement, with us!
A scrumptious Stonewall Feast will be served at 6:30 pm for a $10 donation. Film screens at 7:30pm at Solidarity Salon, 580 Sydney Road, Brunswick. Catch an Upfield line train or a Sydney Road tram. Plenty of free parking is available at the rear. Socialise and celebrate Stonewall into the evening at these licensed premises.
For more information, phone 03-9388-0062 or email radicalwomen@optusnet.com.au
Freedom Socialist Party
Thursday, 29 May, 7:00pm
Freedom Socialist Party meetingThe global fight against fascism
You’re invited to take part in a discussion of the international struggle to prevent the growth fascism at a video screening of a talk by FSP International Secretary Guerry Hoddersen. Guerry, who has had decades of on-the-ground experience in organising against the ultra-right in the U.S., puts a spotlight on the groups behind the escalating attacks on immigrants, anti-Muslim hysteria, and hostility toward gays, women, leftists and trade unionists. She explores what’s fuelling the recent phenomenon of privately funded armies, and assesses what risks they pose for the future. Guerry also reveals a little-known piece of U.S. history – a plot to launch a fascist coup during the Roosevelt administration.
A hearty autumn dinner will be served at 6:30 pm for a $7 donation.
The meeting will be held at Solidarity Salon, 580 Sydney Road Brunswick. Easily accessible by public transport: take the Upfield train to Anstey Station or Tram 19 to Blyth Street. There is also plenty of parking at the rear.
For more information call 03-9388-0062 or e-mail freedom.socialist.partyRadical Women
Thursday, 22 May, 7.00 pm
Can NGOs and not-for-profits right the world’s wrongs?Around 700,000 organisations make up Australia’s non-profit sector, funded by government grants and corporate sponsors. Answerable to those who govern for and prosper from this profit system, are NGOs capable of winning human, industrial and civil rights? Bring your ideas and experiences, and join in this important discussion.
The meetings will be held at Solidarity Salon, 580 Sydney Road, Brunswick (between Blyth and Stewart Streets). Easily accessible by public transport: take the Upfield train to Anstey Station or Tram 19 to Blyth Street. There is also plenty of parking. A delicious dinner is served at 6.30 pm for a $7.00 donation.
Thursday, 8 May, 7.00 pm
Revolutionary Feminist Organising Meeting
featuring a discussion of race and gender in the 2008 U.S. electionsIn the U.S. presidential primary battle, why are women and African Americans being pitted against each other when they are natural allies? The Freedom Socialist newspaper article, “Obama, Clinton, and the illusion of change,” will be the basis for a lively discussion on what the campaigns reveal about social divisions in the U.S. and the role of status quo politicians. A free copy of the article is available on www.socialism.com. Come along with your thoughts. Also join in on RW’s planning for the upcoming period, including the campaign for abortion rights in Victoria.
Freedom Socialist Party
Thursday, 1 May, 6:30pm
A Toast to May Day 2008: Celebrate the inspirational 1998 MUA dispute!
Relive, learn and look to the future!It is 10 years since the historic battle on Australia’s waterfront between Patrick Stevedores and the Maritime Union of Australia. For months, unionists and the community mobilised behind the MUA. At stake was not only the jobs of 1,400 wharfies, but also stopping the Howard government, which aimed to smash the MUA as the opening round of its campaign to break the entire Australian union movement. It failed! While the final result was not an unqualified victory, the struggle was rousing, with many participants experiencing first-hand the power of working people. Join a panel of activists to both celebrate the achievements and apply the lessons. Bring your reminiscences of the struggle and your ideas for the future!
Featuring Power in a Union, produced by the International Transport Workers Federation, and panelists:
Sigrid Borke: a stalwart at both Webb and East Swanson Docks. Sigrid is an oral historian who authored In and Out of Port, a refugee rights activists and a presenter on 3CR’s Keep Left.
Cheryl Kaulfuss: an activist with the Indigenous Social Justice Association. Cheryl was a member of the Health Services Union who participated in solidarity actions in Melbourne.
Bryan Sketchley: a picketer on the Brisbane waterfront. Bryan is an advocate for rank-and-file union democracy, re-inspired to activism by the MUA dispute.
Alison Thorne: an activist with the CPSU and managing editor of the Freedom Socialist Bulletin. Alison learned the real power of the working class at the mass picket at East Swanson Dock.
Chair: Peter Murray, veteran Rail, Tram and Bus Union activist and leader of the 1987 guards’ strike.
Solidarity Salon, 580 Sydney Road, Brunswick. Catch an Upfield line train or a Sydney Road tram. Plenty of free parking is available at the rear.
6:30 pm, Nothing’s too good for the working class Indonesian banquet for a $10 donation.
7:30 pm: Program. Then socialise and celebrate May Day into the evening at these licenced premises.For more information, phone 03-9388-0062 or email .
Radical Women
International Women’s Day 2008 Forum
Tuesday, 11 March, 7.00 pm
Decriminalise Abortion in Victoria: Women demand the right to decide!Before the Victorian Law Reform Commission presents its recommendations for parliamentary debate in late March, celebrate this centennial International Women’s Day with pro-choice campaigners:
Dr Susie Allanson, Clinical Psychologist at Melbourne’s Fertility Control Clinic
Liz Patterson, Co-Women’s Officer at University of Melbourne Student Union
Carlene Wilson, Teacher unionist and Campaign for Women’s Reproductive Rights activist
Debbie Brennan, Reproductive justice campaigner and Melbourne Organiser for Radical WomenCome you your ideas about what is needed to bring the law up to date with majority thinking that choosing abortion must be every woman’s right!
The forum will be held at Solidarity Salon, 580 Sydney Road, Brunswick (between Blyth and Stewart Streets, on #19 tram line, near Anstey station on the Upfield train line, and there is plenty of parking)
A scrumptious dinner will be served at 6.30 pm ($7.00 donation). The forum is free.
The forum is co-sponsored by Radical Women and Campaign for Women’s Reproductive Rights. For more information, please phone 03-9388-0062 or email .
Freedom Socialist Party
Thursday, 28 February, 7:00 pm
Special video screening of
"Listen-up Rudd: Abolish the ABCC now!"Learn about the dangers of the Australian Building Construction Commission (ABCC) at a special screening of Joe Loh’s film Constructing Fear.
In October 2005, the Howard government established the ABCC as an industry watchdog with the purpose of intimidating workers and undermining the strength of unionism in the construction industry. The Australian Labor Party’s National Conference voted unanimously to abolish the repressive body. But Kevin Rudd and Julia Gillard reneged and promised to retain the commission and deliver “a stronger cop on the beat in the building and construction industry.”
A hearty dinner will be served at 6.30pm before the film. A $6.50 dinner donation is requested.
This free screening and discussion will be held at Solidarity Salon, 580 Sydney Road, Brunswick, opposite Hope Street. Catch an Upfield line train or a Sydney Road Tram. Plenty of free parking is available at the rear.
For more information, phone 03-9388-0062 or email .
Radical Women Study Circle
Tuesdays, 25 March – 15 April, 6.00 pm – 7.30 pm
Women Workers: Igniting Union Militancy!Victoria’s nurses, health workers and teachers are showing the exceptional power that women bring to unionism. Howard’s, and now Rudd’s, anti-union laws have struck a rock!
Over four weekly sessions, participants will discuss the sexist basis for women’s special exploitation as workers, some of the hidden history of women’s militancy, and how women are strategically placed in capitalist production to bring the system to its knees.
The sessions will be held at The Elms Family Hotel, 269 Spring Street (near Little Lonsdale Street), Melbourne.
To find out more about the events, or to express your interest, please phone 03-9388-0062 or email Everyone is welcome!
