Commemorations and Crisis: Evocations of the Eureka Stockade 1930-1960

The middle decades of the 20th century saw massive social and political changes as Australians dealt with the consequences of the Great Depression, the Second World War and the post-war economic boom.

In this illustrated talk, cultural historian Peter Freund looks at how the Eureka Stockade was remembered and brought to life in literature, performance and the visual arts. He will also explore how Eureka was creatively celebrated by communities at commemorative occasions and pageants.

The talk will include a screening of rare footage of a 1938 Cinesound Movietone newsreel of a reenactment of the Eureka Stockade held to mark the Centenary of Ballarat. The event will conclude with the unveiling of a previously unknown painting of the Eureka Stockade battle by Australian artist, Cedric Flower.

Image: Cover Image [detail] in Eric Lambert, ‘Five Bright Stars’, 1954. Australian Book Society, Melbourne. Illustrated by Amby Dyson.