Social justice prize exposes Labor

By Arun Pradhan

PERTH -- This year's Michael O'Rourke Prize for Social Justice and Equity was awarded to Anne O'Callaghan at a ceremony at the Curtin University Centre for Aboriginal Studies on October 17. O'Rourke was an activist in the Media, Arts and Entertainment Alliance and in the left of the ALP. He was a tireless orator against the right, both in the ALP and in the Trades and Labour Council.

The prize, established three years ago after O'Rourke's early death from cancer, is awarded annually to the social science essay that best reflects his commitment to winning a fair and socially just society. It was judged by a panel including the head of Curtin's School of Social Sciences and Moira Raynor, the former Victorian equal opportunity commissioner.

In awarding the prize, associate professor John McGuire spoke highly of the way in which the essay, based on O'Callaghan's honours thesis, accurately charted the role of the Accord. “It gives an insight into how the ACTU effectively demoralised the working class in this country.”

McGuire commended O'Callaghan's interviews with a range of WA labour movement figures, including Jack Marx and Jim McGinty.

McGuire added that, although it was not a criterion of the prize, he was heartened that O'Callaghan's commitment went beyond the academic field. He compared her spirit of activism to that of O'Rourke, noting that she was active in many ways, “whether it's organising students against fees, to oppose Pauline Hanson ... or getting that familiar tap on your shoulder and being asked to buy a copy of Green Left Weekly”.

Ted Wilkes, president of the Aboriginal Medical Centre, became the first Aboriginal person to receive the Curtin Alumni Medal for outstanding achievement. In accepting the prize, Wilkes spoke of the enormous difficulties Aboriginal people face, particularly under the Howard government.

Wilkes, who began studying at Curtin in 1978, is the first person in his family to receive a degree. He stressed the centrality of education in empowering Aboriginal people and spoke passionately of the need to end oppression against his people.

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