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Introduction: peace and patriotism in twentieth-century Australia
Citation
Harvey, K and Irving, N, Introduction: peace and patriotism in twentieth-century Australia, 14, (2) ISSN 1449-0854 (2017) [Edited Journal]
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DOI: doi:10.1080/14490854.2017.1319744
Abstract
In the early hours of Friday, 23 April 1971, four young peace activists painted the
word ‘PEACE!’ in large white letters on columns of the Shrine of Remembrance in
Melbourne. Classed as vandalism by the press, the activists made a brash, visible statement
of protest at Australia’s military involvement in Vietnam. That the graffiti
would be visible to the estimated 13,000 returned servicemen and women who
marched in the annual Anzac Day parade two days later was additionally controversial.
The perpetrators also injured an unarmed Government House guard, stationed
that night at the Shrine, when he interrupted their painting. The outcry over the act
of protest – and the assault – was typically fervent. The acting Victorian Police
Commissioner called it ‘an outrage’, whilst Victorian Premier Sir Henry Bolt said the
perpetrators ought to receive a ‘flogging’. The acting chairman of the Shrine
Trustees, former colonel Alfred Kemsley, went further, stating in the Age: ‘If I could
become a soldier again I’d kill the bastards … I’d shoot them or hang them all from
the nearest tree.’ Melbourne’s Sun also featured a photograph of five Gallipoli veterans
in front of the Shrine on its front page, quoting one as muttering ‘What the hell
do they think we fought for?’
Item Details
Item Type: | Edited Journal |
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Keywords: | history, war, peace, pacifism, nationalism, identity, Australia |
Research Division: | History, Heritage and Archaeology |
Research Group: | Historical studies |
Research Field: | Australian history |
Objective Division: | Culture and Society |
Objective Group: | Understanding past societies |
Objective Field: | Understanding Australia's past |
UTAS Author: | Harvey, K (Dr Kyle Harvey) |
ID Code: | 127440 |
Year Published: | 2017 |
Deposited By: | College Office - CALE |
Deposited On: | 2018-07-27 |
Last Modified: | 2020-01-03 |
Downloads: | 0 |
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