Melbourne rally in support of the Franklin River campaign

Protestors at the corner of Swanston Street and Flinders Street, 13 November 1982. In 1982 and 1983 protesters and environmental activists led a campaign to stop the damming of the Franklin River in Tasmania. This action saved a key wilderness area and raised awareness of environmental issues. The political success of the environmental groups involved eventually led to the formation of the Greens, now Australia’s third most popular political party.