On Thursday 26 November, Professor Barbara Pocock and Associate Professor Craig Campbell will launch Graham F. Smith’s memoir – Speak Up, Reach Out: A life to reckon with.

A lifelong activist and educator, Graham Smith’s memoir is a microcosm of Australian politics and society at a particularly volatile time, seen through the eyes of a storyteller who was both compassionate and analytical.

The Second World War, the Korean and Vietnam Wars, the political, economic and social upheavals of post war Australia, and Sir Robert Menzies’ (failed) attempt to outlaw the Communist Party of Australia – Graham lived through these events and made influential contributions to them all. He was involved in and committed to the struggles of the marginalised and impoverished – as a communist in mid-twentieth century Australia he became one of the marginalised. But he, as Barbara Pocock has said in her contribution, ‘was never a hater. Always a builder, and much more likely to meet division with humour than criticism’.

Graham’s dedication to the egalitarian principles of socialism, democracy, peace, international understanding and the dignity of labour was the inspiration for the Peace Foundation that bears his name. Books will be on sale and all author proceeds will go to the Graham F. Smith Peace Foundation – ‘Working for Peace Through the Arts.’

The Graham F. Smith Peace Foundation is a registered charity which promotes peace through all forms of art that relate to human rights, social justice and environmental sustainability.

FREE Registration: Book launch: Speak Up, Reach Out – A life to reckon with by Graham F. Smith
Thursday 26 November 2015, 6.00pm
Kerry Packer Civic Gallery, University of South Australia, City West campus

This event is supported by The Bob Hawke Prime Ministerial Centre.