Australia / The Commonwealth of Australia
Australia has a very rich anti-apartheid history began in the 1960s. The first big national campaign against apartheid was signalled by the massive protests against the visit of the South African Rugby team in 1971, initiated by the student movement. The students were joined by trade unions, church groups and many others. This protest even led to the declaration of a state of emergency for one month in Queensland. Over the years, many different organisations, and political alliances, working at different levels, contributed to a strong anti-apartheid movement. Anti-racism in Australia was often part of the anti-apartheid struggle.
Anti-Apartheid Organisations/People
ANC Support Group
The ANC Support Group was established in 1983 by members of CAASA (Community Aid Abroad Southern Africa); it changed its name to Anti-Apartheid Melbourne in 1984.
The Archives and Special Collections at the University of Melbourne holds a small collection of their materials.
Anti-Apartheid Melbourne
This group was formed in 1977 to support political prisoners in South Africa financially and became a member of CAASA in 1979. Core members of CAASA formed the African National Congress Support Group in 1983, which changed its name to Anti-Apartheid Melbourne in 1984. It became an organisation that supported the liberation movements directly. The group dissolved in 1985.
The Archives and Special Collections at the University of Melbourne holds a small archive covering the period 1977-1985. It contains minutes of meetings, campaign reports and pamphlets.
Campaign against Racial Exploitation
The Campaign against Racial Exploitation (CARE) was a national anti-racist umbrella organisation whose activities focused on anti-apartheid and Australian Aboriginal issues. CARE operated from 1967 till 1990.
The National Library of Australia holds a substantial collection covering the period 1975-1993 containing newsletters, press releases, conference reports, campaign materials as well as some sound recordings.
The UWC/RIM Mayibuye Archives holds a small collection of papers and publications covering the period 1975-1993.
http://www.robben-island.org.za
Friends of Africa (FOA)
Friends of Africa (FOA) formed in 1967 by two members of the New South Wales branch of the Building Workers’ Industrial Union. The group carried on the work of the Action Committee against Apartheid. The FOA was very active among trade unions and participated in campaigns of other Australian anti-apartheid groups as well. It gave direct support to the liberation movements.
The State Library of New South Wales holds a collection of their materials, comprising minutes, correspondence, mailing and membership lists, campaign materials, publications and financial records. It covers the period 1963-1972.
Hazel Rose Jones
Hazel Rose Jones was one of the leading activists of the anti-apartheid movement in Australia. She was active since 1960 and one of the founding members of the Friends of Africa group in 1967 and continued to work with the SADAF and CAASA.
The State Library of New South Wales holds a substantial collection of her personal papers, containing correspondence, publications and subject files. It covers the period 1940-1989.
Luthuli Group of Canberra
This local anti-apartheid group organised solidarity campaigns with South Africa and Namibia. It gave direct support to the liberation movements.
The National Library of Australia holds a small collection, of minutes, newsletters, correspondence, membership lists, and campaign materials covering the period 1986-1989.
Southern Africa Defence and Aid Fund Australia (SADAF)
The Southern Africa Defence and Aid Fund (SADAF) was a specialist organisation, founded in 1963 by a small group of South-African post-Sharpeville refugees and several interested Australians. SADAF’s main aims were ‘to aid and defend the victims of unjust legislation and oppression in South Africa, including support for families and dependents of victims’ and ‘to keep the conscience of the world alive to the issues at stake’. SADAF was affiliated to the International Defence and Aid Fund (IDAF) which channelled money into Southern Africa for use in special projects or by individuals. In 1981 SADAF was dissolved and reconvened as CAASA. Like its predecessor, CAASA maintained close ties with Campaign against Racial Exploitation (CARE).
The State Library of New South Wales holds a substantial collection, containing minutes, financial records, correspondence, campaign materials and publications and covers the period 1961-1987.
Western Australian Campaign against Racial Exploitation (WACARE)
The Western Australian Campaign against Racial Exploitation (WACARE) was a branch of CARE and operated from 1979-1994.
The National Library of Australia holds several of their publications.
The UWC/RIM Mayibuye Archives holds a collection of papers and publications covering the period 1979-1994.
http://www.robben-island.org.za
William Julius Henry “Joe” Harris
“Joe” Harris was a trade unionist and political activist. He played an active role in, amongst others, the campaign against the South African Springbok Rugby tour.
The John Oxley Library at the State Library of Queensland holds a substantial collection of personal papers, consisting of correspondence with organisations, news clippings and subject files covering the period 1850s-1980s.
Other Organisations/People
Australian Council for Overseas Aid (ACFOA)
The Australian Council for Overseas Aid (ACFOA) was formed in 1965 as a co-ordinating body for 90 NGOs working in the field of overseas aid and development. The aim of the organisation was to work for social and economic justice and to respond to human needs. It lobbied the Australian government as well as international organisations and overseas governments. It also supported the liberation movements directly.
The National Library of Australia holds the entire archive of the organisation, covering the period 1964-1996. The collection also contains documents of the Australian South Africa Training Trust and other Australian anti- apartheid organisations.
http://www.nla.gov.au
Resources
Western Australian Film Stories on Sport
The National Archives of Australia holds a collection, containing several film reels of Western Australian Film Stories on Sport which document the demonstrations against the visit of the South African rugby team in June 1971.
