15 SEPTEMBER – 15 OCTOBER 2014
CUSTOMS HOUSE Levels G/1/2 31 Alfred Street Circular Quay Sydney NSW 2000
www.sydneycustomshouse.com.au • 02 9242 8551 • [email protected]
GROUND FLOOR Monday to Friday 8am to Midnight, Saturday 10am to Midnight, Sunday 11am to 5pm
LEVEL 1/2 Monday to Friday 10am to 7pm, Saturday to Sunday 11am to 4pm
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
CURATOR Angus Leendertz
ASSISTANT CURATOR James Mohr and Tracy Dunn
PROJECT TEAM Meredith Burgmann, Jane Harris, Natalie Hendricks, Ish Larney, Kolin Thumbadoo and Pat Wagner
PRODUCTION COMPANY Interview with Dr. Meredith Burgmann, © 2014 FILM PROJECTS PTY LTD
Interviewer: Georgia Wallace-Crabbe • Camera Operator: Gregory Miller
CONTRIBUTORS APHEDA, Australian High Commission Pretoria, The Brink Family, Kerry Browning, Fabio and Mandy Cavadini,
Ken Davis, Andrea Durbach, Irene Gale, Paul Kaplan, Neville Legg, Helen McCue, Audrey McDonald, Gregory Miller, Michael Philips,
Lynette Simons, Jane Singleton, South African High Commission Canberra, UCT Alumni, Sybil Wakefield, Georgia Wallace-Crabbe
and Sharon Zwi • Creative Direction & Exhibition Design: Julia Park, Creative Park
CUSTOMS HOUSE Manager/Producer: Jennifer Kwok • Exhibition Co-ordinator: Samantha Williams
SPECIAL THANKS Customs House Library
SPONSORED BY
PRESENTED IN PARTNERSHIP BY
SUPPORTED BY
In 1994 when Nelson Mandela became the first
democratically elected President of South Africa,
he embodied not only the hopes of his long-suffering
people but also the spirit of thousands of antiapartheid supporters the world over who worked
tirelessly to deliver freedom to South Africa.
Among them were many Australians. From as early
as 1960, trade unions, the Government, churches and
individuals gave their support to the fight for justice in
South Africa. In 1996 Nelson Mandela wrote,
“During those bleak decades on Robben
Island and later in Pollsmoor Prison, my
companions and I would occasionally glean
news of anti-apartheid activities being carried
out overseas. Such news brought us comfort
and hope.
Australians were notable for their participation
in the anti-apartheid movement. They gained
a reputation in the 1960s and 1970s for their
demonstrations against visiting sporting
teams and individual players, for the moral
and financial aid they gave our cause and for
hosting educational tours by visiting speakers.
Later, Australians won recognition for the
diplomatic efforts of some of their most
senior politicians, such as the former Prime
Minister Malcolm Fraser and former Foreign
Affairs Minister Gareth Evans.
In the years that followed, I met many
Australian politicians and journalists. But it
was not until I visited Australia in 1990 that
I grasped fully the extent of the commitment
of the Australian people to our struggle for
democracy. When I stood on the steps of
Sydney Opera House and witnessed the
thousands upon thousands of people who
had come to greet me I was profoundly
moved by this demonstration of support for
a democratic and non-racial South Africa.”
This exhibition focuses on Australians who gave
generously over many decades to bring about the end
of apartheid twenty years ago. Thank you for your hard
work and sacrifice in those difficult years, when support
for a non-racial South Africa was uncommon, when
some of you were incarcerated for your actions, and
when your tactics were met with opposition from many.
Memories of the Struggle is an acknowledgement of your
lifetime of commitment.
Angus Leendertz | Curator
Front cover: Nelson Mandela at Sydney Opera House, 1990. Photo: Newspix
Overleaf (clockwise from top): Meredith Burgmann arrest during STOP THE TOURS campaign. Smoke bombs and flares during Springbok Rugby Tour of 1971. Photo: Fairfax;
Demonstrators disrupt Springbok rugby game 1971. Photo: Fairfax
Opposite (clockwise from left top): Gary Foley in Springbok Rugby jersey worn at the demonstrations against the Springbok Rugby Tour of 1971. Photo: Fairfax;
Malcolm Fraser and Oliver Tambo at NAREEN in 1987. Photo: Fairfax; John and Margaret Brink. Photo from Brink family; Demonstration in George Street, Sydney. Photo:
State Library and Search Foundation
Above (clockwise from left):The Sports Development Project aims to develop active community clubs in disadvantaged areas. Dubmarine frontman D-Kazman performs at
Cape Town Jazz Festival March 2013. Crowd gathered to greet Nelson Mandela on the steps of Sydney Opera House in 1990. Photo: Fairfax.