Petitioning government is a fundamental right in Australia’s democracy. This seminar will explore citizen activism through petitions submitted to the Australian Government. The National Archives collection includes a wide range of petitions relating to a number of areas for change including land rights for First Australians, equal voting rights and the internment of enemy aliens. Not all petitions relate to the big issues, with some asking for intervention on more local or personal issues.

Those who attend in person can also visit the National Archives’ Disrupt Persist Invent touring exhibition, which explores the many ways people have achieved social change in Australia. Disrupt Persist Invent is open at the Victorian Archives Centre from 8 December 2023 to 5 April 2024. See Disrupt, persist, invent | naa.gov.au for more details and opening hours.

This lecture is one in a series on which the RHSV and National Archives of Australia partner. It is a hybrid event and free-of-charge – you can attend the lecture and the exhibition at the Victorian Archives Centre in North Melbourne or you can join the lecture on Zoom.

For those attending by Zoom the Zoom log-in details will be sent 24 hours before the event. You will be sent an automatically-generated email confirming your booking – if this doesn’t appear in your in-box please check your Spam or Junk Mail folders.

Citation for photograph: NAA: A6180, 20/11/86/6.