CPA celebrates Eureka

Last Sunday at the Gaelic Club in SYDNEY, a great crowd 
assembled to celebrate the 150th Anniversary of Eureka.

The program opened with a rendition of Imagine — the John 
Lennon song — sung by Larissa (10 years), the daughter of party 
member Samir Maarbani. Kassim Abood of the Iraqi Communist Party 
then sang a song in honour of all the Iraqi communist matyrs. 
Margaret Walters sang the Ballad of 1891 — when the shearers 
went out on their historic strike — and other Australian working 
class songs.

Drew Cottle, Senior Lecturer in Politics at the University of 
Western Sydney, gave the keynote speech. Drew's speech 
concentrated on the economic and social conditions that added to 
the tension and caused the men to revolt against oppression. He 
outlined other struggles that have happened in the 150 years 
since Eureka where the first response was to raise the Eureka 
flag.

The flag, we heard often during the afternoon, is "more beautiful 
than any flag of Europe". The flag did not belong to one ethnic 
group; it belonged to all people struggling for rights and 
democracy.

Two publications produced by the CPA for the commemoration were 
launched: Eureka 1854 to 1954 by R D Walshe and a 
portfolio of prints, Eureka 150th anniversary 1854-2004.

Members of the Philippines group Migrante performed several songs 
from their heritage of struggle against Spanish and US 
colonialism along with a rendition of the Internationale in 
Tagalog.

One of Australia's best-known folk singers and songwriters, John 
Dengate, finished the program with rousing songs and poetry about 
Eureka — including one of John's own poems.

PERTH


About a hundred people celebrated the Eureka anniversary in the 
State School Teachers Hall in Perth.

John Picton-Warlow, who co-wrote the opera Eureka Stockade, told 
the meeting how the idea of the libretto began with Italian 
interest in the role of Carboni at Ballarat. They writers wanted 
to repay the support they had found in Australia, and saw the 
opera as one way to do this. John pointed out how Italians had 
enriched the culture of Australia.

Chris Cain, WA Secretary of the Maritime Union of Australia, 
declared that the lessons of Eureka were relevant today, that 
there had to be united resistance to the attacks on union rights. 
He pointed to the example of the jailing of union leader Craig 
Johnson, whose main crime was winning improved conditions for his 
union members. A petition was circulated calling for his release.

Another well-received petition called for humanitarian justice 
for Kasmiri asylum seeker Stephen Khan to allow him to stay in 
Australia.

Lechie Hopkins of Women's Studies at Edith Cowan University, held 
the meeting's attention with examples of the role of women in the 
Ballarat struggles. She highlighted the story of Anastasia, the 
wife of Timothy Hayes, a leader of the miners and one of the 13 
tried for high treason, and the militant influence she had on Tim 
and Peter Lalor.

Consistent work beforehand brought many descendants of Stockaders 
to the meeting. In conversation before the meeting and in the 
time set for discussion they added a militancy and spoke proudly 
of their Stockader heritage.

The singing and the music of the Working Voices Choir and other 
singers made for an enjoyable afternoon.


ADELAIDE

About 40 people attended the CPA's lunch and celebration in the 
Semaphore Workers' Club in Adelaide. Stirring Irish music was 
played by Sam on the pipes, Craig on the whistle and Lesley on 
the fiddle.

Retired unionist Cam Johnson spoke on the various interpretations 
of the 1854 uprising and how the enemies of the working people 
have consistently tried to downplay its importance. He quoted 
Raffaelo Carboni and Monty Miller to demonstrate the united, 
working class nature of Eureka and the cruelty of its 
suppression.

The musicians then accompanied George Cochram in a powerful, deep 
rendition of the Ballad of 1891.

Bob Briton thanked the gathering for their participation on 
behalf of the State Committee of the CPA and noted that the 
spirit of unity evident at Eureka is still visible in the local 
community. Public forums dedicated to finding ways to fight back 
against the right-wing Howard agenda will be held at the 
Semaphore Workers' Club throughout 2005.

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Contributions from Denis Doherty, Vinnie Molina, Bob Briton