Graeme Dunstan oral history interview by Martha Ansara

MLOH 98

fonds

7 January 1992

Nonmusical Sound Recordings, Oral Histories

413836

Digitised

3 audiocassettes (3 hr., 1 min.) - 10 × 7 cm, 4 mm tape

MLOH 98/1 Side A:
Documents of the student newspapers referred to are housed by the University of New South Wales. Related 'Aquarius Archives' may be held at the University of Southern Cross.

MLOH 98/1 Side B:
Documents of the student newspapers referred to are housed by the University of New South Wales. Related 'Aquarius Archives' may be held at the University of Southern Cross.

MLOH 98/1 Side A (32 min.):
Years at the Royal Military College - Duntroon, followed by his years at university. First attended the University of Melbourne where he applied to join the squadron, but was prohibited by ASIO. Attended the University of New South Wales. He attended lunch time meetings and was asked to assist ASIO. In second year he was made the president of the Labour Club and editor of the paper - ended his relationship with ASIO. Finished uni and worked as a computer programmer. Disliked work and returned to uni. Was made the president of the Student's Union and press editor. Editors of student newspapers were being arrested for fighting censorship. Had a meeting to gain student support for their newspapers. Arrested. Bailed by the Student's Union of the University of New South Wales.

MLOH 98/1 Side B (32 min.):
Discusses his actions at the protest of the welcome to L.B.J. Went into teaching and hated it, because of the staff, even although he could engage the students. Agreed to help plan a festival from which the funds would be used to buy land for a collective to live on. Decided on Nimbin.

MLOH 98/2 Side A (32 min.):
Police said if they limited the locations for their drug use, they would turn a blind eye. A lot of effort went into promotion, and new people arrived everyday, such that even the locals were impressed with the performers who came. As more people came less work happened and tensions rose between administration and attendees. One member particularly embarrassing. A couple of other rioting occassions that went badly with relations with the police. Left Nimbin as the energy was falling and only those who wanted to consume were left. Came back as the community struggled, felt guilty for the locals.

MLOH 98/2 Side B (32 min.):
Dreamed of going back to Nimbin and start a new schooling system - but this could not work. Worked for a group called Reality Construction Company and sold theatre to schools; explains first shows. Graeme's strategy was to create events where people experienced joy together. Went back to Nimbin. Ensured that there were birthers. Formed the Home Builders Association which was to begin negotiations. Interrupted by others in the house. Influence of Buddhism and the building of the Bodhi Centre.

MLOH 98/3 Side A (32 min.):
Discusses the similarities between theatre and festivals. Each festival or section of community life being like an Act in the theatre. The group at Terrania Creek were negotiating to prevent logging at this time, which continued with festivals. Spent time adding energy and not doing administration. Successful. Group divided and some spiked the trees, so Graeme warned the police. Sings a lament song which they sand while waiting for the inspector to respond to the spiking.

MLOH 98/3 Side B (22 min.):
Logging a big issue, public meeting held but extremists and activists not allowed to attend, so he left Nimbin. Nimbin news and birthing group no longer allowed to exist. Always wanted to find out who the group was, develop their own culture. Lived off the doll, everyone means tested.

In copyright:
Please acknowledge:: Mitchell Library, State Library of New South Wales and Courtesy copyright holder.

The description of this material has been supplied from the Oral History Digitisation Program, undertaken 2014 to 2017, of the Library's oral history collections.

Copy available at CY MLOH 98/1-3
MLOH 98/1 Side A: A log of this tape is available.

MLOH 98/1 Side B: A log of this tape is available.

MLOH 98/2 Side A: A log of this tape is available.

MLOH 98/2 Side B: A log of this tape is available.

MLOH 98/3 Side A: A log of this tape is available.

MLOH 98/3 Side B: A log of this tape is available.
MLOH 98/1 Side A: 33610

MLOH 98/1 Side B: 33610

MLOH 98/2 Side A: 33610

MLOH 98/2 Side B: 33610

MLOH 98/3 Side A: 33610

MLOH 98/3 Side B: 33610
MLOH 98/1 Side B:
Sound dropped out of the right speaker between 14:00 and 14:08.

MLOH 98/2 Side A:
Volume drops in and out.

MLOH 98/3 Side A:
Background hissing noise.

MLOH 98/3 Side B:
Background domestic noise. Content ends 22:18.

Interviewee: MLOH 98/1 Side A: Dunstan, Graeme
MLOH 98/1 Side B: Dunstan, Graeme
MLOH 98/2 Side A: Dunstan, Graeme
MLOH 98/2 Side B: Dunstan, Graeme
MLOH 98/3 Side A: Dunstan, Graeme
MLOH 98/3 Side B: Dunstan, Graeme

Interviewer: MLOH 98/1 Side A: Ansara, Martha
MLOH 98/1 Side B: Ansara, Martha
MLOH 98/2 Side A: Ansara, Martha
MLOH 98/2 Side B: Ansara, Martha
MLOH 98/3 Side A: Ansara, Martha
MLOH 98/3 Side B: Ansara, Martha

MLOH 98/1 Side B:
Imprint on cassette reads 'ADIC111'.

MLOH 98/2 Side A:
Imprint on cassette reads 'ADRJ024'.

MLOH 98/2 Side B:
Imprint on cassette reads 'ADRJ024'.

MLOH 98/3 Side A:
Imprint on cassette reads 'ADRJ024'.

MLOH 98/3 Side B:
Imprint on cassette reads 'ADRJ024'.