Come party with us and celebrate three decades of feisty socialist feminist organising in Melbourne!
The Freedom Socialist Party (FSP) held its first public event in Australia, “A new era for socialist
feminism in Australia — Introducing the Freedom Socialist Party,” at the Plumbers Union on 24
March 1983. Melbourne Radical Women (RW) held its founding meeting a month later. We’ve
been on the front lines of the struggle for a socialist feminist future ever since.
Enjoy rousing oratory about key working class milestones, remember battles won, pay tribute to
those who led them and draw out the lessons learned.
Feminist firebrand, Debbie Brennan, will share stories of RW’s achievements. Debbie, who
is the Melbourne organiser, coordinated a speaking tour for delegates from the Federation of
Cuban Women. She organised a rally against the construction of the Hindmarsh Island Bridge,
featuring Ngarrindjeri women elders who spoke out in defence of their culture. Debbie is also a
workplace delegate with the Australian Services Union, a veteran clinic defender and coordinator
for Campaign for Women’s Reproductive Rights.
Alison Thorne, who won a precedent-setting Equal Opportunity case in 1986 that extended
protections to gay liberationists, will share how this battle helped build the FSP. She’s been an
organiser in the fight to stop Aboriginal deaths in custody since before the Royal Commission.
Alison helped lead a community-based united front that ran fascists out of Fawkner. She is a
grassroots campaigner for equal pay and a workplace delegate with the Community and Public
Sector Union.
Come and tell your stories. Step up to the open mic to share your memories — inspirational or
funny, recent or ancient — of working with RW and the FSP.
There will be a host of displays featuring publications, posters, leaflets, photos and other
memorabilia.
Decide how you’ll contribute to the next 30 years!
Saturday, 20 April
Solidarity Salon, 580 Sydney Road, Brunswick
Doors open at 6 pm, program at 7 pm and then kick on into the evening
Pile up your plate and enjoy a fabulous finger food buffet
The bar will be serving some cocktail specials befitting the occasion
Door donation — $10 (low income), $20 (employed),
$30 ($1 for each year – Solidarity price)
Everyone is welcome
Jointly hosted by the Freedom Socialist Party and Radical Women
Email: freedom.socialist.party@ozemail.com.au
Website: www.socialism.com
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/Freedom-Socialist-
Party-Australia
Email: radicalwomen@optusnet.com.au,
Website: www.radicalwomen.org
Facebook: www.facebook.com/Radical-Women-Australia
Phone: 03 9388-0062