Activism is a Process

In 1984, University of Melbourne Dean of Arts and renowned historian Professor Geoffrey Blainey delivered a speech in Warrnambool, Victoria, criticising the pace of Asian immigration. His comments made headlines in newspapers and sparked outrage among students, who accused him of racism. They protested and picketed his lectures. Yet, the university seems to have left little record of these events. 42 years later, students continue to challenge racism with the rise of Pauline Hanson’s One Nation. We wonder how long it’ll take for these voices to be heard. Interviewees: Andonis Piperoglou James Waghorne Lushy Chinganya Reporter: Megan Nicole YinShow Host: Siena KinkelaExecutive Producer: Michael SalibaSound Design: Zenny Zhou, Xue XueMarketing: Megan Yin, Leyla ArrykovaSupervising Producer: Louisa Lim See photos of our objects and more behind the scenes on Instagram at @‌uncuratedpod Uncurated is a Centre for Advancing Journalism podcast, produced at the University of Melbourne on the lands of the Wurundjeri and Woi Wurrung people of the Kulin Nation.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Step back into the 1970s to hear the forgotten story of Terry Stokes, a 26-year-old UniMelb postgrad who was arrested for kissing his boyfriend in public. As the title suggests, it wasn’t just any kiss; it was The Kiss That Started a Protest. Deep in the university’s archives is a confidential, restricted file meant only for the Vice-Chancellor and a select few others, but now the world will hear what really happened when the proudly homophobic warden evicted an openly gay student from his student housing at a time when kissing was a crime. Interviewees: Stephen Duns Voice Actors: Julie-Anna Evans as Barbara Funder Simon Saliba as Warden Berry Christian Saliba as Cafeteria Worker Reporter: Michael SalibaShow Host: Siena KinkelaExecutive Producer: Michael SalibaSound Design: Xue XueMarketing: Megan Yin, Leyla Arrykova.Supervising Producer: Louisa Lim  See photos of our objects and more behind the scenes on Instagram at @‌uncuratedpod Uncurated is a Centre for Advancing Journalism podcast, produced at the University of Melbourne on the lands of the Wurundjeri and Woi Wurrung people of the Kulin Nation.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

"Child Care Now." Three simple words that sparked one of the most dramatic student protests in the University of Melbourne's history. In 1974, activists occupied council chambers, faced arrest, and challenged powerful university leaders to recognise childcare as a right rather than a personal responsibility. Eva Sementino uncovers a little-known chapter of Australian feminist history that helped reshape campus life and expand access to higher education.  Interviewees: Deborah Shnookal Martha Macintyre Jean Taylor Marilyn Lake Reporter: Eva SementinoShow Host: Siena Kinkela.Executive Producer: Michael SalibaSound Design: Xue XueMarketing: Megan Yin, Leyla Arrykova.Supervising Producer: Louisa Lim  See photos of our objects and more behind the scenes on Instagram at @‌uncuratedpod Uncurated is a Centre for Advancing Journalism podcast, produced at the University of Melbourne on the lands of the Wurundjeri and Woi Wurrung people of the Kulin Nation.    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Reporter Xinnan Wang traces student activism from a 1961 protest against Australia’s White Australia Policy to a recent campus rally at the University of Melbourne. Along the way, she uncovers the forgotten history of anti-racism movements, immigration reform, and student protest in Australia, while questioning her own assumptions about activism. Interviewees: Andonis Piperoglou James Waghorne Reporter: Xinnan WangShow Host: Siena Kinkela.Executive Producer: Michael SalibaSound Design: Xue XueMarketing: Megan Yin, Leyla Arrykova.Supervising Producer: Louisa Lim  See photos of our objects and more behind the scenes on Instagram at @‌uncuratedpod Uncurated is a Centre for Advancing Journalism podcast, produced at the University of Melbourne on the lands of the Wurundjeri and Woi Wurrung people of the Kulin Nation.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In 1917, three years into World War One, student Guido Baracchi got into trouble with the University administration for publishing articles about Australia’s involvement in the war. This socialist, anti-war, anti-conscription student was seen as a traitor by the staff and other students, and his punishment was being thrown into a lake by his peers. Today, the University of Melbourne still tries to silence student protesters when their message pushes back against the system. Interviewees: Jeff Sparrow Philip Goad Zara Chauvin-Cunningham Reporter: Grace GoodaShow Host: Siena Kinkela.Executive Producer: Michael SalibaSound Design: Xue XueMarketing: Megan Yin, Leyla Arrykova.Supervising Producer: Louisa Lim  See photos of our objects and more behind the scenes on Instagram at @‌uncuratedpod Uncurated is a Centre for Advancing Journalism podcast, produced at the University of Melbourne on the lands of the Wurundjeri and Woi Wurrung people of the Kulin Nation.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

From the stonemasons who fought for an eight-hour workday at the University of Melbourne in 1856 to today’s staff strike at our university, this episode will explore 170 years of labour rights activism in Australia. A famous American singer and civil rights activist, Paul Robeson, will take us back to the 1960s and the power of labour rights protest. But what has changed over the past 170 years, and why does the struggle for workers’ rights continue?  Interviewees: Jeff Sparrow James Waghorne Reporter: Xue XueShow Host: Siena Kinkela.Executive Producer: Michael SalibaSound Design: Xue XueMarketing: Megan Yin, Leyla Arrykova.Supervising Producer: Louisa Lim  See photos of our objects and more behind the scenes on Instagram at @‌uncuratedpod Uncurated is a Centre for Advancing Journalism podcast, produced at the University of Melbourne on the lands of the Wurundjeri and Woi Wurrung people of the Kulin Nation.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

At the very end of WWII, a group of UniMelb students threw eggs and other ingredients at the then Minister for War Organisation of Industry, John Dedman. The suit he wore, designed to cut corners and save fabric for the war effort, ironically became the target of an anti-rationing and conscription protest that day. Several Australian politicians have been egged since then, it might be worth asking why. Interviewees: Dr Elaine Pratley  Van T Rudd Reporter: Siena KinkelaShow Host: Siena Kinkela.Executive Producer: Michael SalibaSound Design: Xue XueMarketing: Megan Yin, Leyla Arrykova.Supervising Producer: Louisa Lim  See photos of our objects and more behind the scenes on Instagram at @‌uncuratedpod Uncurated is a Centre for Advancing Journalism podcast, produced at the University of Melbourne on the lands of the Wurundjeri and Woi Wurrung people of the Kulin Nation.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The porticoes, lawns and classrooms of the University of Melbourne have seen their fair share of unrest, spanning from eggings to dunkings through protest marches, barricades and occupations.  Some of the most consequential protests in Australian history took place on this campus.  In this new season, students from the Centre from Advancing Journalism explore the university's unruly past.  Each episode we’ll dust off an object from the archives that tells a story about protest here on our campus, revealing the role played by students in the fight for labour rights, gay rights and women's rights, as well as in the anti-war movement.    We will explore the story of forgotten protests as we explore the value of campus activism, and we ask what happens when the university tries to rule student unruliness.  This series also asks: what do we lose when protest is stifled?  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The University of Melbourne's involvement in the testing of atomic bombs in South Australia is not that well known.  Yet it had a massive impact on the Indigenous people living there, with health impacts that were felt for decades.  University academics were enlisted to ensure the safety nuclear blasts at Maralinga and Emu Field. But how good of a job did they really do?  Interviewees: Karina Lester - Senior Aboriginal Language Worker at The University of Adelaide Dr James Waghorne - Senior Research Fellow and University Historian at The University of Melbourne Elizabeth Tynan - co-ordinator of the professional development program at the James Cook University Graduate Research School and researcher of the history of British atomic weapons testing in Australia  Note:  This episode has been updated to reflect further details of Leslie Martin's role in atomic testing.  Music Gold Hands – Holly Sweeney Piano Study – Joel Keith   Special mention to the following sources: Yami: The Autobiography of Yami Lester Tim Sherrat The McClelland Royal CommissionSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

For many international students, International House is more than just a place to stay—it’s a welcoming oasis in an unfamiliar city. But did you know that the community at International House holds a rich history dating back to 1957? Dive into the history of International House and one of its most cherished traditions: the Great Trike Race. A race that symbolises the spirit of unity at the International House. INTERVIEWEES Frank Larkins Caitlin Stone Frank Schrever MUSIC CREDITS Flight by Alex Garla Monster by Rock Vishal Shah Forest by Kabas KAS Grainger Things by Daniel Cropley  Focus by Ambient Vibes Our world by Coverr Inspiring Cinematic by StudioKolomna Magic Inspiration by Artlss22See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.