https://padlet.com/k4mron01/k1xcsmbgqh0d 8/2 - Australians in Vietnam By Travis and Sungwoo en-us 2019-03-08 03:49:22 UTC 2019-03-10 20:29:47 UTC hello@padlet.com https://padlet-assets.s3.amazonaws.com/icons/Removelove.png k4mron01 https://padlet.com/k4mron01/k1xcsmbgqh0d/wish/339174316 Our Sons was an independent, non sectarian protest movement which focused on protecting men, under the age of 18, who were not eligible to vote against conscription. They also protested against the war in Vietnam as it was unethical and bad.

]]> 2019-03-08 03:53:10 UTC https://padlet.com/k4mron01/k1xcsmbgqh0d/wish/339174316 k4mron01 https://padlet.com/k4mron01/k1xcsmbgqh0d/wish/339732237 Save Our Sons (SOS) was established in 1965 in Sydney but soon other groups formed under the SOS banner across the country. Some men and young women became members, but for the most part SOS was comprised of women, mostly middle-class and middle-aged, whose sons were old enough to be subject to national service. The nature of SOS protests varied – some involved silent vigils in public places of commemoration such as Melbourne’s Shrine of Remembrance; at other times members handed out leaflets at Army barracks or railway stations from which national servicemen were travelling to begin their military service.

]]> 2019-03-10 20:22:08 UTC https://padlet.com/k4mron01/k1xcsmbgqh0d/wish/339732237 k4mron01 https://padlet.com/k4mron01/k1xcsmbgqh0d/wish/339732308 Members of SOS also prepared and circulated petitions, approached members of parliament and worked in conjunction with other anti-war groups to protest against national service and the war. Their protests were not always met with the same civility with which they were conducted. Some members of SOS were subject to abuse and insult. Called communists at a time when the term was replete with implications that the accused was somehow anti-Australian, some women were also sworn at and called ‘bad mothers’ and neglectful wives. One woman recalled the unpleasant experience of regular protests outside the Swan Street barracks in Melbourne while families farewelled their sons into military service. Unwelcome and subject to abuse, the SOS protesters persisted because they believed their cause was worth the opprobrium and verbal confrontation.]]> 2019-03-10 20:22:35 UTC https://padlet.com/k4mron01/k1xcsmbgqh0d/wish/339732308 k4mron01 https://padlet.com/k4mron01/k1xcsmbgqh0d/wish/339732390

Their contribution to building what eventually became a victorious mass movement against the war was tremendous.

Brought good media attention to their cause when they were released from prison.

Involved in political activities.

Many women who joined SOS found that the issues of the war and national service moved them into the Labor camp.

Many who joined SOS the experience gave them the confidence and ability to publicly express their views for the first time.

The women’s movement of the 1970s benefited from the politicisation of such people..

]]> 2019-03-10 20:22:59 UTC https://padlet.com/k4mron01/k1xcsmbgqh0d/wish/339732390 k4mron01 https://padlet.com/k4mron01/k1xcsmbgqh0d/wish/339732542 First established in Sydney, and later in Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth, Newcastle and Adelaide the movement protested against conscription of Australians to fight in the Vietnam war. The movement made conscription of men under 18 who were not eligible to vote at that time a focus of their campaign. In 1970, five Save Our Sons women were jailed in Melbourne for handing out anti-conscription pamphlets whilst on government property.]]> 2019-03-10 20:23:47 UTC https://padlet.com/k4mron01/k1xcsmbgqh0d/wish/339732542