Press Kit © ATOM 2011 A STUDY GUIDE BY ROBERT LEWIS

http://www.metromagazine.com.au

ISBN: 978-1-74295-122-5 http://www.theeducationshop.com.au Overview

omen in the western Women in Britain – the home of liberty Irish widow with fire in her belly; and world in the nineteenth – didn’t win full suffrage until 1928. Vida Goldstein, a beautiful young city century had virtually no girl from the best of homes who threw W rights. Once they married And women in France – the caution to the wind to live the most they signed over everything to their revolutionary bearer of liberty, equality radical of lives. husbands (including their children). and fraternity – were denied their If the marriage turned abusive it was political rights until 1944. These women were startlingly different almost impossible to escape. And in their family backgrounds, life experi- even worse was the fate of ‘fallen But in Australia women had the right ences and personal approaches to women’ as unmarried mothers were to vote in national elections from 1902, politics, but together they would lead called. second only to New Zealand. a revolution.

How is it that a western woman today Utopia Girls (Jasmin Tarasin, 2011) With their comrades, they would can enjoy exceptional freedom, power tells the story of how Australian carry the flag over half a century until and privilege, when little over 100 women attained political power and a newly federated Australia could years ago women were subjected influence – in their own country and claim its title as a uniquely democratic to such entrenched political, legal, on the international stage – through nation. Their tireless, and sometimes economic and social disadvantage? the lives of five remarkable and unique thankless, work would take them women: Caroline Dexter, a London from the poorest slums to the seats of A key was the winning of the right to bohemian with a distaste for long power in the fledgling nation. vote and stand for parliament. But dresses; Henrietta Dugdale, an un- where would that be done? conventional gold rush emigrant and This achievement ushered in the utopian free-thinker; Louisa Lawson, a modern era of modernity. Hemlines Women in America – the land of the bush pioneer who did it tough on the raised. Family sizes shrunk. Before free – couldn’t vote until 1920. colonial frontier; Mary Lee, an elderly long, bras were burning, and formerly

SCREEN EDUCATION © ATOM 2011 2 bluestocking women were reborn as at the end of the earth that at long material girls. last delivered such progressive liberal CURRICULUM APPLICABILITY reforms? This is the situation most women in Utopia Girls runs for 52 minutes, and is a the Western world take for granted. Historian Dr Clare Wright guides us suitable resource for use at middle–senior secondary levels. It can be used to explore: So much has changed, so relatively through this fascinating story, with quickly, that it’s easy to forget how some of Australia’s most prominent ENGLISH: difficult it was to achieve. At a time actors illuminating the film by reciting when Australia’s prime minister is from contemporary texts. Beautiful Biography an outspoken woman, the idea that graphic and archive sequences women have a voice in our democratic illustrate the story. The result is an HISTORY / CIVICS AND CITIZENSHIP / POLITICS: system of government seems so evocative and moving film about commonplace as to be humdrum. a vitally important but little-known Key events and ideas in the development of But little over century ago, there was passage of Australian history. Australian democracy, especially women’s nothing obvious, expected or ordinary suffrage about the notion that women might The truth is, a battle royal was waged have a say in making the laws that between the corseted advocates of HISTORY: governed them. change and the staunch defenders of the male prerogative to power. The Historical method What we really need to know is this: insurgents won. why Australia? What was going on in FILM STUDIES: that hotbed of radicalism and idealism Utopia Girls is their story. The documentary form

SCREEN EDUCATION © ATOM 2011 3 Exploring ideas & issues in !e "lm

1 Definitions

1.1 There are several words in Utopia Girls whose meanings you need to understand:

Utopia – a perfect place or society.

Suffrage – having a vote in elections. Suffrage may be male (men only), adult (all adults), restricted (usually meaning that you have to own a certain amount of property), or universal (applying to all adult citizens in a society). Women who wanted the vote for women were usually called Suffragists, and after 1913 in Britain were known as Suffragettes (this term usually involved a willingness to act directly and confrontationally and break the laws dur- ing protests).

Franchise – the right to vote.

Anarchists – supporters of a political philosophy that advocates a society that does not have any governmental control.

‘Wobblies’ – Members of the Indus- trial Workers of the World, an extremist organisation that advocated violence to bring about radical social, political and economic change.

Spiritualism – a belief that people could communicate with the dead through a person (a ‘medium’).

Federation – the political move to unite the colonies into a new nation (achieved in 1901 with the creation of the Common- wealth of Australia).

SCREEN EDUCATION © ATOM 2011 4 2 What was the problem facing are equal and equally entitled to the women? same rights.

2.1 Utopia Girls describes the main 3.1 How was it that late nineteenth ways in which women’s rights in and early twentieth century society Australia were restricted in society at did not automatically accept this? List this time. Identify what the situation for the main arguments and attitudes or women was in relation to: justifications for and against women’s equality (at least in voting rights) that % property ownership are presented in the film. Summarise % divorce them in a table like the one below. % inheritance rights Some examples have been done to % voting help you.

2.2 How would winning the vote for 3.2 Look at the following collection women change this inequality? or sample of arguments, used in the debates for the Commonwealth Fran- 3 What were the key arguments chise Bill 1902. Beside each, note if it for and against women’s supports (S) or Opposes (O) the right suffrage? for women to vote, and decide what the basis of the argument is. If it is a We accept automatically and without new type of argument, add it to the any doubt today that men and women table.

ARGUMENTS/ATTITUDES/ ARGUMENTS/ATTITUDES/ JUSTIFICATIONS IN FAVOUR OF JUSTIFICATIONS AGAINST WOMEN’S VOTE WOMEN’S VOTE

Equality – people are equal and need Inferiority – women were not equal to be treated equally. to men.

Fairness – it was unfair not to give Gender or social roles – women’s women a say in the society in which roles would be changed, and they they lived. would not be able to carry out their domestic roles properly. Civic benefit – women would be able to contribute more to society by be- Ridicule – women were not capable ing involved. of behaving sensibly as thinking and responsible humans.

SCREEN EDUCATION © ATOM 2011 5 A Richard O’Connor D Thomas Glassey G Simon Fraser (NSW, Protectionist Party) (Qld, Protectionist Party) (Vic, Protectionist Party)

… I see no reason in the world why we Only yesterday I heard a woman say How will the passage of this Bill bring should continue to impose laws which that she did not think it would be safe any more comfort to the home? I have to be obeyed by the women of to confer this right on women, be- say that the passage of 50 such Bills the community without giving them cause very dire things were likely to would not bring one atom of benefit some voice in the election of the follow. It is also alleged that women to the home in this or in any other members who make those laws. Their would be influenced by the clergy, country. On the other hand, in my capacity for understanding political by good-looking candidates, and by opinion, it may create discord. I do not questions, for thinking over them, and young men. say that it will have that effect, to any for exercising their influence in regard – Senate, 9 April 1902, p.11474 great extent, because in 99 cases out to public affairs, is certainly of that of every 100 the wife will vote with the order and of that level which entitles Another reason which is sometimes husband, the daughter with the father, them to take that part in public affairs advanced against women’s suffrage the sister with the brother, and the which the franchise proposes to give is that women do not understand effect will be only to multiply the family them. My view is that the result will be political questions. That argument vote. In my home I shall have ten votes infinitely to strengthen the means by presupposes that all men understand under this system instead of one. which we shall get a true record of the political questions … The old argu- – Senate, 10 April 1902, p. 11558 real opinions of Australia upon all the ment has been used that the extension different questions that will come up of the suffrage to women would take H Sir William Lyne, for settlement. I have no fear but that away their beauty and their charm, and (Hume, Protectionist Party) the influence which the vote of women cause them to neglect their domestic Minister for Home Affairs throughout Australia will exercise affairs … it has been said that it would will be, as it has been in other parts be a shame to invite women to go to … some ten or twelve years ago I of Australia where it has been tried, the polling booth, because sometimes formed the conclusion that not only uniformly for the good of the Com- there is a good deal of rowdyism there. was it just to accord women the vote, monwealth and in the interests of the – Senate, 9 April 1902, p.11475 but that it was in the best interests of best form of legislation. the entire community. – Senate, 9 April 1902, pp. 11451–2 E Staniforth Smith – House of Representatives, (WA, Free Trade) 23 April 1902, p.11930 B Sir Josiah Symon (SA, Free Trade) … this will be the first Parliament to Moreover, I am firmly of the opinion have universal adult suffrage for both that the extension of the franchise to I feel that the introduction of political Houses of the Legislature. This Bill will women will cause men to take more duties – I put it that way – into the am- not confer a favour upon the women interest in political matters, and to vote bit of their service in life is overloading of Australia, nor a boon for which they in larger numbers than they have done them, and is certainly not promoting should be grateful. It will do a simple heretofore. The fact that wives and woman’s destiny at its best. act of justice that has been withheld daughters in the home will be able to – Senate, 9 April 1902, p. 11463 from women for many years. discuss political subjects which affect – Senate, 9 April 1902, p.11484 everyday life, will bring to the mind of C Edward Pulsford the male portion of the community the (NSW, Free Trade) F James Stewart necessity for recording their votes at (Qld, Australian Labor Party) election time. … both my heart and brain act to- – House of Representatives, gether in antagonism to the principle The very men who say that giving a 23 April 1902, pp. 11930–31 of women’s suffrage. I am not pre- woman a vote would degrade her, pared to describe women’s suffrage have not the slightest compunction I Sir Edward Braddon as a blessing. I would rather describe about making her a drudge. They do (Tasmania, Free Trade) it as an attempt to throw a portion of not regard it as degrading for a woman the white man’s burden upon the white to black a man’s boots. Oh, no! It is Woman has her range of duties, and woman. I do not think that the inter- not degrading for her to scrub a floor her special functions, as man has his; ests of the States or of the people will or to be turned into a stuffy kitchen and I would like to see each find his be promoted in any shape or form by to cook for a man, or to be put into a own place in his own level. the change which is suggested. factory where she will have to work – House of Representatives, – Senate, 9 April 1902, p. 11464 nine or ten hours a day for a wretched 23 April 1902, p. 11937 pittance. None of these things will I believe that if we now decide to go in degrade a woman, but to give her a … the objection is that women are for womanhood suffrage it will tend to voice in the government of the country apt to decide on instinct rather than the vulgarization of women, and that will degrade her! That is what the op- reason. – House of Representatives, none of us desires. ponents of female suffrage tell us. 23 April 1902, p. 11937 – Senate, 9 April 1902, p. 11466 – Senate, 9 April 1902, p.11499

SCREEN EDUCATION © ATOM 2011 6 J William Knox to sit in this Chamber. It is man’s duty http://www.aph.gov.au/library/ (Kooyong, Free Trade) to be here, and it is woman’s duty to intguide/pol/women/Parlquotes.htm attend to the family. We are, in my opinion, running counter – House of Representatives, Below are two examples of docu- to the intentions and to the design of 23 April 1902, p.11941 ments circulated by supporters of the Great Creator, and we are revers- women’s suffrage. ing those conditions of life to which K Sir William McMillan woman was ordained. (Wentworth, Free Trade) 3.3 Which do you think is the better – House of Representatives, or more effective style of presenting 23 April 1902, p. 11941 No doubt when we come to deal with arguments? Justify your choice. the question on purely logical grounds, The main ambition of a woman’s life it is very hard to say that a women 3.4 Look at the Sixteen Reasons should be to become the wife of an should not have a vote. But, on the for Supporting Woman’s Suffrage. honorable and honest man. other hand, there is even deeper How might an opponent of women’s – House of Representatives, philosophy than mere logic. There are suffrage answer each of these? 23 April 1902, p.11941 instincts, and those instincts often are founded upon the nature of things. 3.5 Why do you think many people, I have a mother, and I have a wife and Whether we decide that a woman shall both men and women, opposed a sister and daughters, and I wish to have a vote or not, there is no use our women’s suffrage at this time? continue in the position of their sup- blinding our eyes to the fact that a Suggest a range of reasons. porter and their protector, and not woman, physiologically and otherwise, to place them under the necessity of is a very different individual from a protecting their own political position. man. – House of Representatives, I do not wish them to have extended 23 April 1902, p.11947 to them the right not only to vote, but

SCREEN EDUCATION © ATOM 2011 7 4 Image analysis 4.1 For each one, decide: Even if you cannot understand the particular context of the time, or the There were many cartoons and a Who is shown people referred to, look at the way drawings published during the b What they are doing or saying they are presented by the cartoonist campaign for women’s suffrage. c How they are presented to the and the general tone of the cartoon viewer – the tone of the cartoon and decide what the message is likely Look at the following cartoons from d The attitude of the cartoonist to to be. the time. the issue

Melbourne Punch 22 November 1906

SCREEN EDUCATION © ATOM 2011 8 The political situation in South Australia Fallen Man: “Ours, my dear, by all means!” The Bulletin 1 September 1894

The Bulletin 29 September 1894

SCREEN EDUCATION © ATOM 2011 9 Melbourne Punch 26 November 1901

SCREEN EDUCATION © ATOM 2011 10 Melbourne Punch 13 August 1903

SCREEN EDUCATION © ATOM 2011 11 The Bulletin 23 June 1894

SCREEN EDUCATION © ATOM 2011 12 The Bulletin 4 July 1891

Woman 1: ‘Are you going to vote for Mr Blank today, Miss Butterfly?’

Woman 2: ‘Indeed I am not: he is not my ideal of a member of Parliament. I went to hear him speak the other night, and, do you know, he’s quite bald!’

SCREEN EDUCATION © ATOM 2011 13 Women’s Sphere October 1900

SCREEN EDUCATION © ATOM 2011 14 4.2 Would you class any of these cartoons as propaganda? Explain your views.

4.3 Do you think they would have been influential at the time? Discuss your reasons.

5 Character study

The film focuses on five key people.

5.1 Summarise the information in the film for each of the individuals under the headings of the table on page 16:

5.2 Discuss the similarities and differ- ences that you observe between these five women – e.g. class, occupation, age, way of campaigning, etc.

5.3 Prepare a biographical summary of one of the women in the table. You might analyse the strengths and weak- nesses of the five examples on pages 17–21 (which have been provided by the filmmakers) before writing your own biographical summary.

5.4 There were many other women who were involved in the movement. You might allocate these names between class members and research them, reporting your findings at the end:

% Maybanke Anderson; Dora Montefiore; Rose Scott (NSW)

% Edith Cowan; Janetta Foulkes; Christina Clark; Golding sisters (An- nie, Belle, Kate); Nellie Martel (WA)

% Alice Henry; Annie Lowe; Brettena Smyth; Annette Bear-Crawford (Vic)

% Emma Miller; Leontine Cooper; Elizabeth Brentnall; Agnes Williams (Qld)

% Alicia O’Shea Petersen; Jessie Rooke (Tas)

% Mary Colton; Rosetta Birks; Catherine Helen Spence; Elizabeth Nicholls (SA)

You may also find others.

5.5 Extend your response to ques- tion 5.2, but this time using this wider database.

SCREEN EDUCATION © ATOM 2011 15 Vida Goldstein Mary Lee Louisa Lawson Henrietta Dugdale Caroline Dexter Caroline ain ature of ssessment/ ersonal details/ ersonal ourimpressions Aspect P Family situation P motivation N involvement in the movement Qualities, strengths Weaknesses M achievements Y of the person A cause of success and failure Why significant in the movement? Character study

SCREEN EDUCATION © ATOM 2011 16 SCREEN EDUCATION © ATOM 2011 17 SCREEN EDUCATION © ATOM 2011 18 SCREEN EDUCATION © ATOM 2011 19 SCREEN EDUCATION © ATOM 2011 20 SCREEN EDUCATION © ATOM 2011 21 6 Why did the fight for women’s suffrage succeed in Australia at that time?

Utopia Girls seeks to explain why the vote was given to women in that place (the colonies and new nation of Australia) and that time (in most cases in advance of all other democratic countries).

Women’s Political Rights in Australia Parliament Right to vote Right to sit First woman elected Senate 1902 1902 1943 Commonwealth House of Representatives 1902 1902 1943 Legislative Council NA 1926 19311 New South Wales Legislative Assembly 1902 1918 1925 Queensland Legislative Assembly 1905 1918 1929 Legislative Council2 1894 19593 1959 South Australia House of Assembly 1894 1896 1959 Legislative Council4 19205 1921 1948 Tasmania House of Assembly 1904 1921 1955 Legislative Council2 1908 1923 1979 Victoria Legislative Assembly 1908 1923 19336 Legislative Council2 1899 1920 1954 Western Australia Legislative Assembly 1899 1920 1921 Women’s Political Rights in Selected Countries Country Right to vote Right to sit First woman elected New Zealand 1893 1919 1933 Australia 1902 1902 1943 Finland 1906 1906 1907 Norway 1907/1913 1907/1913 1936 Denmark 1915 1915 1918 United Kingdom 1918/19287 1918 1918 Germany 1918 1918 1919 Czechoslovakia 1918 1918 1920 Netherlands 1919 1917 1918 Austria 1919 1919 1919 Canada 1919 1919 1921

1 Until 1934, members of the Legislative Council were appointed by the Governor; from 1934 to 1978 they were elected by both chambers; since 1978, they have been popularly elected. 2 Property qualifications applied. Removed in 1973 in South Australia (Constitution Act Amendment Act 1973, assent 22 November 1973); removed in Victoria in 1950 (Legislative Council Reform Act 1950, assent 11 October 1950); removed in 1963 in Western Australia (Constitution Acts Amendment Act [No. 2] 1963, assent 17 Decmeber 1963). 3 A legal challenge to the nomination of women resultedin legislation, with backdated provisions, to enable women to stand for election. 4 Property and ex-service qualifications applied; removed by Constitution Act 1968 (assent 20 December 1968). 5 Vote extended only to women who had servd as nurses in World War One (Constitution [War Service Franchise] Act 1920). 6 By-election to replace her late husband, a former Premier. 7 The UK did not grant all women over 21 the vote until 1928. Adapted from and , accessible via .

SCREEN EDUCATION © ATOM 2011 22 6.1 What is the answer that the film lead to the strengthening of the % The methods used to campaign gives? Consider what the film presents political power of the cities against included: about the role of individuals, and what the rural areas. It was also associ- - leaflets and pamphlets other aspects can be used to explain ated with the radicalism of most - press editorials why the vote was won. For example, Labor parties. In other words, - lobbying MPs and candidates the importance of organisations, ideas, conservatives supported it only - lecture tours individuals, poliical parties. when they thought it would benefit - meetings themselves politically. - petitions 6.2 Here is a summary of another his- - deputations torian’s explanation of what happened % Many organisations were very - debates at the time. It does not mean that one important in supporting women’s - public protest meetings account is better than the other – but it suffrage, especially the national- shows that different historians can use based Women’s Christian Tem- % Many women opposed women’s different sets of information. Discuss perance Union (a religious-based suffrage. There were monster how this compares with the explana- organisation dedicated to outlaw- petitions signed and presented tion/analysis offered in the film. ing the drinking of alcohol) and to parliaments with thousands of Suffrage Organisations formed in names opposing the issue. % Married Women’s Property Acts each colony specifically to cam- were passed in most Australian paign for the vote for women. % As women were not represented colonies between 1879 and the in parliament they had to influence 1890s. These gave the woman the % Some of the most active women sitting male members, or support right to keep her own property af- were wealthy, and had the support sympathetic candidates. ter marriage, and she did not have of their husbands or parents. to hand it to her husband. Adapted from Audrey Oldfield, % The women activists fell into two Woman Suffrage in Australia, % Conservative opponents of female main groups: those who were Cambridge University Press, 1992. suffrage did not only have philo- young and childless; or middle sophical reasons for opposing the aged who had passed their child- vote – they believed that it would bearing age.

SCREEN EDUCATION © ATOM 2011 23 7 Is Utopia Girls good history?

Utopia Girls is a representation of history – that is, it is somebody’s version of what happened and why. The filmmakers have chosen what to include, what to leave out, and in what order to present their information to the audience.

Is it a fair and accurate representation or version of what happened?

Here are some criteria that you can use to assess the film. You can judge the film on the basis of your present knowledge, or you may do it after further research into the issue.

7.1 Discuss each heading and summarise your own ideas and answers beside each.

Aspect Comments

Does Utopia Girls present the main facts accurately?

Does it contribute to your understanding of why events happened?

Does it help you to empathise with people of the past – to see what life must have been like for them?

Does the film provide a variety of perspectives on events?

Does the film explain the outcomes of the events?

Does the film explain the significance of the issue?

Are any judgements made by the film fair and supported by the evidence?

SCREEN EDUCATION © ATOM 2011 24 8 Is Utopia Girls a good documentary?

8.1 A documentary film uses a variety of elements and strategies to have an impact. Consider the way the following elements are used in the film. Comment on their success or failure in creating an effective documentary.

Aspect Comments

Narration

Music

Still and moving images

Documents from the time

Reconstructions

Editing

Sound

Cinematography

SCREEN EDUCATION © ATOM 2011 25 8.2 The title of the film is Utopia Girls. work, Great Petition, references the The new fountain comprises a rec- What does that mean? Do you think it Monster Petition signed by 30,000 tangular water feature approximately is a good title? Explain your ideas. Victorian women in just six weeks in 7m long x 2.5m wide x 0.4m high. 1891 calling for the right to vote. The The base of the water feature lined 8.3 Suggest a new or alternative title, original petition is now housed at the with mosaic inspired by wisteria and prepare a short argument to justify it. Public Record Office, Victoria, while in the suffragette shades of green, the sculpture is sited in Burston white and purple. Visual interest is 9 Commemoration and memorials Reserve, in close proximity to Parlia- provided by water jets within the ment House, where the original fountain. The achievement of women’s suffrage petition was delivered. in Australia is a significant event in our The border of the water feature is history. The twenty metre long scroll–like etched with a passage from the form comprises two steel elements Commonwealth Franchise Act in There are several memorials in Australia that appear to submerge either side 1902 and commemoration of the to this achievement. of the pathway that intersects the 1903 election in which women voted park, thereby enfolding pedestrians and stood for Parliament for the first A memorial can contain a variety of in the work as they pass through time. elements to create messages and its form. The plinth, designed in meanings, including words, symbols, consideration of the sloping site, is A timeline extends from the water shapes, colours, textures, specific of bluestone, and grounds the art- feature along a wisteria covered locations, sounds. work in this most typical Melbourne pergola with concrete paving to- material. wards Constitution Place. Along the 9.1 Look at these two examples, and timeline names and achievements discuss how they use a variety of http://www.brecknockconsulting. of significant women in Australian elements to create their messages and com.au/projects/Womens_Suffrage_ political life are recorded. meanings. Memorial.html 9.2 Imagine that you have been A: In Melbourne (image above) B: In Canberra (image on page 27) asked to create a memorial to the achievement of women’s suffrage in Explanation by the creators: Explanation by the creators: your state. Brainstorm the possible messages that you might convey, and To celebrate the 100th anniversary The commemorative fountain is the many elements that might help get of women’s right to vote in Victoria, located at the entrance to the House these messages across effectively to the State Government and City of of Representatives garden within viewers. Melbourne partnered to commis- a walkway linking Old Parliament sion a major public artwork to be House to Constitution Place. Then sketch your memorial. located in Melbourne’s CBD. The

SCREEN EDUCATION © ATOM 2011 26 10 Final reflections

10.1 Utopia Girls says that the achievement of women’s suffrage was part of a revolution. Discuss that idea.

10.2 The Suffragists never became Suffragettes in Australia – that is, they never had to use violence to promote their cause. Why do you think no violence was needed in this society?

10.3 Do you think the women who struggled for the cause of women’s suffrage are heroes? Explain your views.

10.4 How would you now answer the question: Why were the Australian colonies and nation virtually the first to allow women to vote and stand for parliament?

SCREEN EDUCATION © ATOM 2011 27 O!er Resources

Audrey Oldfield, Woman Suffrage in Australia, Cambridge University Press, 1992

Audrey Oldfield, Australian Women and the Vote, Cambridge University Press, 1994

Commonwealth Parliamentary Library A Matter of Public Importance: Votes for Women, .

Australian suffragettes, .

Women and Democracy, .

SCREEN EDUCATION © ATOM 2011 28 This study guide was produced by ATOM. (© ATOM 2011) ISBN: 978-1-74295-122-5 [email protected] For more information on SCREEN EDUCATION magazine, or to download other study guides for assessment, visit . Join ATOM’s email broadcast list for invitations to free screenings, conferences, seminars, etc. Sign up now at . For hundreds of articles on Film as Text, Screen Literacy, Multiliteracy and Media Studies, visit .

SCREEN EDUCATION © ATOM 2011 29