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Mavis Robertson, born in Melbourne, Vic. recalls her Irish family background; secondary education & university studies; her initial involvement in the Labor Club, Communist Party of Australia (CPA) and the Eureka Youth League; after the party split and being a member of the executive of the non-Soviet faction which retained the party name; motherhood in the 1950s; 1956 being a politically significant year, i.e. Hungarian Uprising, incidents involving Hungary and Russia at the Melbourne Olympics, 20th Congress of the Soviet Central Committee when Krushchev exposed Stalin; her husband Alec's extended trip to China & return in 1957, She speaks about events of the 1960s, such as, Eureka Youth League activities, Vietnam War protests, protests against nuclear testing in the Pacific; new "open CPA" policy and party concepts of democracy; Prague Spring and May 1968 Uprising; Yevtushenko; Women's liberation.
Robertson speaks about the 1970s, urban commune at Roseville; the Whitlam Government and backlash; developments in the CPA; coup in Chile, her husband's death in Mar.1974; She recalls the Campanero concert at Sydney Town Hall and Australian tour; further developments in CPA. Robertson talks about her role as filmaker, Changing the Needle, shot and produced in Hanoi made to mark the end of the Vietnam war; her resignation from CPA, early 1980s; her job with the Federation of Engine Drivers and Fireman's Association; in 1984 her move to Melbourne, work with Australian Council of Trade Unions & the building unions; her campaign to get super allowance converted to super payments for workers; 1989 involvement with Jessie Street activities; 1990s start of Women's Breakfasts and WIS (Women in Super); expos in major shopping complexes; spinoffs from the industry super funds; Industry Fund Services and the range of activities under its sponsorship; industry funds and their contribution to Australia, both economically and culturally.
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