Labour History Society SA

03/06/2026

The Labour History Society (South Australia) is pleased to support two upcoming events organised by IPAN (Independent and Peaceful Australia Network) exploring the connections between war, militarism, climate crisis and Australia's role in global conflicts.

A highlight is the Adelaide screening of “Earth's Greatest Enemy”, a powerful new documentary by journalist and filmmaker Abby Martin. The film investigates the environmental impact of the US military, the world's largest institutional polluter, and examines the links between war, empire and ecological destruction.

Abby Martin will be in Adelaide for a special screening and discussion.

These events come at an important time, as debate continues over AUKUS, US military bases in Australia and the country's involvement in wars in Gaza and elsewhere.

We encourage members and supporters interested in peace, social justice, labour history and environmental issues to attend.

For details of the screening and IPAN's national conference, see the event flyers below.

15/05/2026

On 15 May 1969, the Victorian Tramways union leader Clarrie O’Shea was jailed by the industrial court for refusing to allow it access to the union’s accounts. The union had been fined under anti-union penal powers for undertaking industrial action. The jailing triggered a wave of strikes across Australia with around one million workers taking part until O’Shea was freed six days later.

To learn more about the history of campaigns by Australian unions visit- https://commonslibrary.org/activism-and-campaign-history/

10/05/2026

More than 100 people joined us this afternoon at the North Adelaide Community Centre for the launch of Geoff Goodfellow’s new poetry collection, “Nostalgic Adelaide: Poems Political,, Social and Cultural” presented by the Labour History Society SA as part of South Australia's History Festival.

A big thank you to former Premier Mike Rann for launching the book, and to Jo Laverty for expertly MCing the afternoon. Guests enjoyed readings, discussion, refreshments and reflections on Adelaide’s working-class, political and social history through Geoff’s poetry.

Thanks to everyone who attended and helped make it such a wonderful event.

Read a review of Geoff’s book here: https://www.indailysa.com.au/inreview/books-poetry/2026/05/07/book-review-nostalgic-adelaide

26/03/2026

📣 Applications are now open for the Tom Sheridan Scholarship 2026📣

Each year, the Labour History Society (South Australia) offers the Tom Sheridan Scholarship to support postgraduate research and encourage new work in labour and social history.

The scholarship is valued at $1,000 and includes one year’s membership of the Labour History Society (SA).

If you’re a postgraduate student in South Australia working on a topic connected to the history of the Australian working class, we encourage you to apply.

🗓 Applications close: 5pm, Monday 1 June 2026
📧 Apply / enquiries: [email protected]

Please see the attached poster for full eligibility criteria and application details and share with anyone who may be interested.

15/02/2026

Some extra snapshots from yesterday’s state conference at Adelaide University. Thanks again to everyone who made it such a success!

14/02/2026

More than 70 labour historians, unionists, students and activists came together at Adelaide University yesterday for an inspiring day of discussion at our State Conference: History’s Wisdom: Key to Our Future.

We debated union strategy, organising in precarious workplaces, AI and technological change, labour-environment struggles, and the challenges facing the left in a time of crisis.

With a strong showing from postgraduate and early-career researchers, the future of labour history is in good hands. A huge thank you to our keynote speaker Frank Bongiorno, all presenters, sponsors, and everyone who travelled to be part of the day.

Labour history remains a vital tool for rebuilding working-class power ✊

04/02/2026

📣 Final program released!

We’re excited to share the finalised program for the 2026 Labour History Society (South Australia) Conference, taking place on Saturday 14 February at Union House, Adelaide University (City Campus East).

The day will feature a full program of papers, panels and discussion bringing together historians, activists, unionists and researchers to explore labour history, working-class politics and movements for social change.

📄 The full program, including abstracts and bios, is available here. Start planning your day: https://adelaideuniversity.box.com/s/5x94zx5546qvt4m5m8dg3fakytpqfp7v

🎟️ Tickets are available now via TryBooking:
https://www.trybooking.com/events/landing/1497093

31/01/2026

Less than two weeks to go until our state conference. Don’t miss out! Secure your place and buy your tickets here 👉 https://www.trybooking.com/DHEQN

Less than two weeks to go until this important state conference. Don’t miss out! Secure your place and buy your tickets here 👉 https://www.trybooking.com/DHEQN

09/01/2026

🎟️ Tickets are now on sale – secure your place!

The Labour History State Conference: History’s Wisdom – Key to Our Future is taking place on 14 February 2026, and we’re excited to share what’s ahead.

The organising team is finalising the program (to be released soon), with a diverse range of speakers and sessions exploring:

• The far-right threat
• AI, technology & the labour movement
• Challenges to democratic socialism
• The SA State Election
• Lessons from labour & social history

We’re thrilled to welcome Professor Frank Bongiorno as keynote speaker, speaking on “Why Labour History Still Matters.” Frank is Vice-President of the Canberra Region Branch of the Society for the Study of Labour History and a historian at the Australian National University. He is also Distinguished Fellow of the Whitlam Institute within Western Sydney University. His books include Dreamers and Schemers: A Political History of Australia (2022) and (co-authored with Nick Dyrenfurth) A Little History of the Australian Labor Party (Second edition, 2024).

📅 When: 14 February 2026
📍 Where: Adelaide University (Kaurna Country)

Join unionists, historians, activists and community members for a day of discussion, debate and solidarity. Tickets are available now – don’t miss out.

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Labour History State Conference: History’s Wisdom - Key To Our Future Date: 14 February 2026 Location: Adelaide University (Kaurna...

20/11/2025

Thank you to everyone who joined last weekend's discussion of the historic dismissal of Prime Minister Gough Whitlam by Governor-General Sir John Kerr on 11 November 1975.

Special thanks to our panelists, Dr Richie Gun AO who as the Labor Member for Kingston was in Canberra that day, former Senator Chris Schacht who was a Labor Party official working in Adelaide on the day this groundbreaking event unfolded, and Bill Denny AM BM who as Aide de Camp to Sir John Kerr was witness to the ‘comings and goings’ at Government House.

A reminder that tickets are now available for our state conference on 14 February 2026, 'History's Wisdom - Key to our Future'. This event will explore the vital lessons that Australian labour history offers as we confront the industrial, social, and political challenges of our time. Secure your spot now: https://www.trybooking.com/events/landing/1497093