On October 28th, 1916; a year and a half into the war that historians so often say formed Australia; a vote was put to the nation to ask whether the people of Australia supported compulsory military conscription.
82% of the country turned out to vote (voting was not yet compulsory - 73% had voted in the previous federal election), and the result was a victory for the "no" side. A year later, with enlistment numbers falling and PM Billy Hughes claiming Australia was not pulling its weight in the war, another conscription referendum was held and again defeated.
Amongst the clamour of WWI centenary celebrations, the story of these two referendums has rarely been mentioned. But the massive campaign against conscription is part of a proud history of Australians resisting war.
To mark the centenary, we are going to gather together and share the stories not just of the 1916 referendum, but of a history of Australian people opposing war, refusing to fight and working for peace.
The event will be at the Temple Of Peace at Toowong Cemetery. The temple is immediately inside the front gate. While the temple has a strange and disputed history, in 1924 thousands of people gathered for the dedication of this openly anti-war memorial. Part of uncovering this alternative side of Australian history is discovering the anti-war geography that already surrounds us.
A different view of the past allows us a different view of the future - come and hear the stories that helped to shape our culture, and be inspired to imagine a more peaceful future.
