Victorian Women Lawyers presents the LESBIA HARFORD ORATION — A short history of forgetting: women, law and power in Australia, presented by Dr Clare Wright.

Did you know that there were more women inside the Eureka Stockade than in Tony Abbott’s cabinet? More than one doesn’t sound that spectacular, but chances are you weren’t aware there were any women in the tents that were behind the crude fortification at Eureka on the fateful morning of 3 December 1854. Or that British troops opened fire on a white civilian population that clearly included women and children. And that’s because there are more ways to silence inconvenient truths – like the fact that women want access to power and are not afraid to speak up in order to get it – than by overt slamming of the doors to the inner sanctum of social, legal and political privilege.

Drawing on research from her new book, The Forgotten Rebels of Eureka, historian and television presenter Dr Clare Wright will discuss the story of women’s political activism in Australia – and why some histories are more equal than others.

Registration and refreshments from 5.30
Oration commences at 6.00pm

Allens Linklaters
Level 37, 101 Collins Street
Melbourne

$15 members
$25 non-members

To register visit www.vwl.asn.au/events.