CELEBRATE an alternative history of protesters, strikers, street artists, bohemians, feminists, socialists, Aboriginal resistance fighters, slum sisters, soldiers, activists, writers, printing presses, anti-rascist campaigners and dissenters who changed Melbourne for better (or worse).
NOT the usual history of the Melbourne establishment but of those who challenged the social order seeking justice, expression  and individual rights.
LEARN how radicals have  influenced the modern Melbourne and society we experience today.
TRAVEL on our 2.5 hour tour through the physical city: historic maze of lanes and heritage buildings from Flinders Street Station to Spring Street.
READ a review of our walk by writer Sue Jackson.

SEE  –  BOOKINGS AND PRICES  –   FOR INDIVIDUALS, GROUPS AND SCHOOLS

See also Our Social Justice Tour.  Also our 40 SCHOOL PROGRAMS. 

‘Melbourne Walks, led by Meyer Eidelson, offers a simply superb introduction to the history of protest and justice issues in the City of Melbourne. The tour was characterised by impressive and comprehensive knowledge, high levels of  engagement, good humour and practical concern for our high school students on a warmish afternoon. I am very comfortable in giving Melbourne Walks my unreserved endorsement.’     Allan Ansell O.D. Sacred Heart College

We recommend a Melbourne publication as an essential addition to your library! Radical Melbourne A Secret History (Vols 1 & 2) by Jill and Jeff Sparrow, Vulgar Press.

SOME OF THEMES AND PLACES. Our route varies depending on your interests, construction,  time of day or week.
The Radical Evangelicals and Batmans Treaty: Bible House, Flinders Lane The Evangelicals and the Dutigalla Treaty.

Radical Street artists

Eureka Stockade: St Patricks Cathedral

The Social Justice Collective: Ross House, Flinders Lane.

Radical Writers: “The Juvenal” of Lingham Lane, – Henry Lingham (poet, eroticism and critic), Marcus Clarke satirist.

Jim Cairns and the Moratorium

Fighting White Australia: Edward Coles, Cheong Cheok Hong, Louis Ah Moy: Howey Place, Little Bourke St,

Federation and ANA:  Alfred Deakin

The Great Strikes: Melbourne Town Hall; 1890 Maritime Strike and the 1923 Police Strike, John Monash and blitzkrieg.

Val’s Coffee Lounge: Swanston Street and  the gay pride movement.

Corruption in High Places: City of Melbourne Building Society 1888, Lt Collins Street and Elizabeth St; The Land Boomers, Isaac Isaacs,  James Munro, Mathew Davies

Alabama in Melbourne: Tivoli Arcade – Val Eastwood, The Coloured Idea, Harry Houdini

Fighting for Women: The Women’s Centre. Lonsdale Street: The Stone family, Vida Goldstein, Zelda D’Aprano

Framing the Wharfies: 189 Lonsdale Street-Bombing Melbourne 1929

Power without Glory Corrs Lane Street – Federal Press 1947, Frank Hardy (Power without Glory), the Guardian, The Communist Dissolution Bill 1950.

Black Freedom fighters: Russell Street – Gallows Hill – Jack Napoleon and Trugannini, Derrimut

The Chinese Civil Rights Movement: Crofts Lane, Little Bourke St -“Mr Cheong” (Cheong Cheok Hong), Louis Ah Moy

Saints in the Slums: Lonsdale Street Providence: Saint Mary Mackillop’s Providence, Sister Esther

A Radical Building: Melbourne Synagogue: Corner Lt Lonsdale and Exhibition

The Fight for Equal Pay: Casselden Place: Zelda D’Aprano and the Green Latrine 1969

Red Russell Street: Movement against War and Fascism, 145 Russell Street, 1933;  IWW Office, 171 Little Bourke street, (cnr Russell), 1916; Victorian Socialists League, 177 Russell Street, 1900; Anarchist Bookery, 213 Russell Street 1890s; Communist Party Office, 217 Russell Street, 1924; Unemployed Workers Movement 260 Russell, 1930

Some Socialist Red Addresses
Melbourne Anarchist Club, Her Majesty’s Hall, 283 Elizabeth Street, 1906
Golden Fleece Hotel Australian Socialist League, 1889
Andrade’s bookshop, 201 Bourke Street, 1898
Matteoti Club anti-fascist social club, Spring Street, Victoria Street 1927
Trades Hall, Victoria Street, 1875
Federal Press, Communist Guardian office, 16 Corrs, 1947
Women’s Liberation Centre, 16 and 50 Little La Trobe Street, 1972
Eureka Hall, 104 Queensberry St, N Melbourne, 1942
International Bookshop, 17 Elizabeth Street, 1952
Workers Art Club 175 Bourke Street 1933
Flanigan Lane Workers Theatre, 1939
New Theatre 293 La Trobe Street, 1939
Communist Party office, 224 Swanston, 1920
Communist Party office, 252 Swanston, 1939
Communist Party office, 3 Hosier Lane
Movement against War and Fascism, 145 Russell Street, 1933
IWW Office, 171 Little Bourke street, (cnr Russell), 1916
Victorian Socialists League, 177 Russell Street, 1900
Anarchist Bookery, 213 Russell Street 1890s
Communist Party Office, 217 Russell Street, 1924
Unemployed Workers Movement 260 Russell, 1930

 

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