CPA contribution to Eureka 150th Celebrations

The Sydney District Committee (SDC) decided to mark to the 
150th Anniversary of the Eureka Stockade by reprinting two 
publications about this momentous occasion in the working class 
history of Australia. These publications will be launched at an 
event called "Still Fighting to Defend Democratic Rights" on 
Sunday December 5 at the Gaelic Club.

The first publication is called Eureka — A Portfolio of 
Prints, it was originally printed in 1954 to mark the 100th 
Anniversary of the stockade.

This portfolio includes 13 lino cuts of events leading up to and 
during siege of the stockade. Some of the artists who produced 
this work are still alive and are very happy to see their work 
reprinted.

The artwork is backed up by historical comment from the 
participants or contemporaries of the events. One very notable 
contemporary was Karl Marx who wrote about it, an excerpt of what 
he wrote is included. Stockade participants Monty Miller and 
Carboni Raffaello are liberally quoted.

The combination of stark lino-cuts and the commentary of 
participants makes for a very significant publication. The SDC 
believes this publication would make a very valuable addition to 
any library, personal, local, union, university or any other.

The second publication, The Eureka Stockade, is a small 
30-page booklet by RD Walshe. This booklet was also first 
produced in 1954 for the 100th Anniversary.

It maps the political content of the struggle and its relevance 
for today's Australia.

The launch of these books will feature as guest speaker Dr Drew 
Cottle, historian, Senior Lecturer in Politics at the University 
of Western Sydney. Drew would be known to many readers for his 
excellent book, The Brisbane Line.

To make it a really great afternoon, the launch will feature 
songs of workers' struggle from around the world.

The DC urges all members, friends, unionists, in fact anyone with 
an interest in working class history to attend on December 5.

* * *

Sydney Eureka Stockade 150th Anniversary
Still fighting to defend democratic rights
Sunday 5 December 2pm Gaelic Club,
First Floor Devonshire St, Surry Hills
Speaker: Dr Drew Cottle, historian,
Senior Lecturer in Politics, Uni of Western Sydney
Book Launch & entertainment
Songs of workers' struggle from around the world
Contact: Rob 02 9699 8844