Disobedience: The Monash Labor Club and student struggles of the 1960s and '70s

Disobedience will focus on the origins of student activism at Monash University and the student ‘struggles’ of The Monash Labor Club in the 1960s and ‘70s; their unique understanding of Marxism and the application of their praxis to contemporary forms of occupation, Situationism, information technology and knowledge production.

The discussion, which will bring together former Monash students and key members of the Monash Labor Club, will explore the origins and rise of student activism at Monash University, taking into account the role of significant radicalising events that occurred throughout the world, within Melbourne and at Monash during 1965-67.

Speakers
Darce Cassidy, Mike Hyde, Jill Jolliffe, Ken Mansell and Dave Nadel

Convener
Dr Kate Murphy, Lecturer in Contemporary History, Monash University

Disobedience coincides with the inaugural annual sculpture commission in the Ian Potter Sculpture Court, Emily Floyd’s This place will always be open 2012. Floyd’s sculpture explores the role and legacy of the university campus – and museum – as a site of political potential. Drawing its title and conceptual framework from the experimental student struggles at Monash University during the 1960s and ’70s, and incorporating a series of activities, events, debates, workshops and publications, Floyd’s work serves as a space for social encounter – re-invoking a utopian spirit that is open, inclusive, free, provisional and generative.

^{Image: Emily Floyd, Disobedience. Image courtesy of the artists}