Radical Times Archive – Collect, Preserve, Share
Photo: 1970 Moratorium demonstration in Brisbane – part of national protests against Australia’s military involvement in the Vietnam War © Fryer Library, Brisbane.
Radical Times Archive
“Collect, Preserve, and Share”
An audio-visual archival resource focusing on radical activism around Australia, particularly during the 1960s, 1970s, and 1980s (although resources are not restricted exclusively to this time period).
The archive recovers “lost” and rare independent Australian documentaries (also vérité footage of historical significance) in order to preserve these films, videos and audio for posterity before they reach end of life and disappear permanently.
The focus is on visual/aural material…..the archive currently has 196 film streams and 89 audio streams.
While the focus is on Australian resources, there is an international section featuring films made outside Australia by Australians.
To round out the collection and provide context, printed matter, photos, and other images are included where possible.
Not only is this archive designed as a tool for appreciating and understanding the past, it is also hoped it will provide perspective and ideas for future endeavours for social and political action.
Please be aware this site contains images and voices of indigenous people now deceased.
http://radicaltimes.info
Alternative Media in Brisbane: 1965–1985
Excerpt
Brisbane under the Country/National Party governments from 1957 to 1989 is often portrayed as a cultural desert. While there were certainly many ‘Queensland refugees’ who went to the southern states and overseas to realise their creativity, this paper’s review of alternative media in Brisbane between 1965 and 1985 substantiates previous claims that the political repression also encouraged others with radical views to stay to contribute to the extra-parliamentary opposition. The radical movement is revealed as adept at using the products of technological change (including new printing processes, FM radio and lightweight Super 8 and video camera equipment) to create new audiences interested not only in alternative politics but also contemporary creativity. In particular, this paper argues that, by countering Premier Bjelke-Petersen’s skilful management of the mainstream media, alternative media workers were producing the basis of the thriving creative industry scene that exists in Brisbane today, as well as non-doctrinaire ideas that may have a wider application.
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http://radicaltimes.info/PDF/LeftPress.pdf