- A meeting held here on August 2 attracted about 40 women to re-launch the Women's Liberation Organisation. The meeting flowed out of a forum held last June, which attracted 120 women, to discuss the fragmented state of the women's liberation movement in Adelaide.
BRISBANE — The annual Cabaret for Latin America sponsored by the Committee in Solidarity with Latin America and the Caribbean (CISLAC) attracted a lively crowd of some 250 here on July 24. Co- sponsored this year by the Australia-Cuba Friendship Society, the cabaret raised funds for aid projects in El Salvador, Guatemala, Nicaragua and Cuba, some $1750 in all.
HOBART — Some 130 people attended a public meeting here on August 11 to hear calls for the reform of Tasmania's drug laws. At present the possession or use of cannabis or "hard" drugs is illegal under the Poisons Act. Tasmania also has no methadone program. The meeting, organised by Active Unemployed, heard Bob Brown (Greens), Patsy Harmsen (Hemp for Paper), John White (ALP MHA), Tony Sherlock (social worker) and Informal (legislation campaigner).
- About 200 students participated in a rally in Salamanca Place on August 14 as part of the National Union of Students' national day of action. Speakers at the rally were NUS state present Tim Lyons, Tasmania University education officer Paul Bini, and TU Student Union president Shelly Murel.
MELBOURNE — A "speakout for choice", held on August 8 in Bourke St Mall, attracted a crowd of around 100 as well as considerable interest from Sunday shoppers. The speakout was held as part of a national day of action for abortion rights called by the Abortion Rights Network of Australia, to mark the inclusion of termination of pregnancy in Medibank rebates on August 8, 1974. Speakers at the rally were Maureen Foster, a worker at the Outer Eastern Women's Health Service, Fiona Blackburn from the Campaign for Women's Reproductive Rights, and Vanessa Hearman from Resistance.
PERTH — About 30 people attended a candlelight vigil here on August 8 in memory of women who have died in illegal and "backyard" abortions. Organised by the Association for the Legal Right to Abortion (WA) the vigil was part of a national day of action for abortion rights. Speakers at the vigil included ALRA president Robin Murphy, ALP parliamentarian Judith Watson, and Michelle Hovane, candidate for the Democratic Socialists in the recent WA and federal elections.
- On August 13 about 40 people attended the official launch in Perth of the book Feminism and Socialism: Putting the Pieces Together published by New Course Publications. Sponsored by t Party and Resistance, the book launch was addressed by Jane White from the Women's Electoral Lobby, Rebecca Meckelberg, Perth Resistance organiser and an activist in the NOWSA (Network of Women Students in Australia) Collective in Perth.
- On August 5 about 80 people gathered at Forrest Place in Perth for a candlelight vigil in support of women who are victims of rape and violence. Senator Christabel Chamerette (Greens WA) chaired the evening with speakers Liz Hayden, Angela Ebert and Associate Professor Veronica Brady. The vigil was part of an ongoing international campaign of Thursdays in Black, demanding a world without rape and violence. For more information and for those who would like to do more contact: Rowena 221 4550, Helen 220 3333, Carole 325 4566 or Veronica 481 1244.
Should a brief report on your group's activities be included in the next issue of Â鶹´«Ã½ Weekly? Just ring the information in: Adelaide 231 6982; Brisbane 358 4875; Canberra 247 2424; Hobart 346 397; Melbourne 329 1277; Newcastle 265 328; Perth 227 7367; Sydney 690 1977; Wollongong 297 932.