Radical Australia

Les Thomas, Melbourne based singer/songwriter and activist, talks about using music as a means of radical activism.  He's written songs about refugees, politicians, aboriginal freedom fighters and fighting for human rights.  His guitar is a weapon for change in society.  This is his life as an activist.

Lalitha Chelliah talks about her family background in industrial unionism in Malaysia, moving to Australia and becoming involved with the nursing unions.  She discusses what feminism, union politics and radical activism mean to her.

Today's guest Joe Wally talks about his life as a West Papuan growing up in a refugee camp, his family background fighting for independence and moving to Australia and continuing to campaign for West Papuan independence.

This weeks guest is Rowan White, an Anglo-Melbournian poet, spoken word performer, singer, activist, counselor, driving instructor and sometime disability support worker. Rowan’s writing explores themes such as the beautiful here and now and the problem of privilege.  Rowan’s first book is ‘Tailwind and other poems’, published in 2015.

Cheryl Kaulfuss discusses her life in activism, focussing on her work for Indigenous rights and her current work with the Indigenous Social Justice Association (ISJA).

West Papuan Activist, Sixta Dimeitri Mambor discusses her life in activism.  From growing up in Jayapura in West Papua, her family background in the political protest movements for West Papuan independence to arriving to Melbourne and her involvement with the Republic of West Papua’s new Department of Foreign Affairs, Immigration and Trade office in Melbourne.  She talks about a life dedicated to the work of gaining independence for her homeland West Papua.