Radical Glebe

TALK

Radical Glebe talk sessionGlebe Society President, Verity Firth (left), moderated the ‘Radical Glebe’ session. On the panel were (L to R) Meredith Burgmann, Nadia Wheatley and Josefa Sobski. (Photo: VixPix Photography).

Held: Mon 24 June, 7.00 - 8.30 pm
Panelists: Meredith Burgmann, Josefa Sobski, and Nadia Wheatley
Moderator: Verity Firth

Glebe has had a radical history. Our panelists were at the forefront of several social activist movements based in Glebe in the 1960s and ’70s which brought about major change – social, cultural, environmental and political.

Attendees heard their campaign stories about:

  • the Women’s Liberation Movement
  • Elsie - the first women’s refuge in Australia
  • the Unions’ environmental agenda - 'Green Bans’
  • Anti-apartheid movement - ‘Stop the Tours’
  • Overcoming local political machinations and corruption
  • the Anti-Vietnam war movement
  • Glebe radical student houses
  • and much more

Panelists also shared their thoughts on social change today.

The Radical Glebe talk session reignited a few ‘radical fires’ in the audience as they took us back to the 1960s and 70s, sharing stories of their activism. There were some funny stories, but also a serious side when reflecting on the risks people exposed themselves to in those radical days.

The panel liked our gifts of coloured round glasses which fitted in with the hippy-style decorations, peace hand signs and the old protest posters on display.

Photos of the Event