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1982: Franklin Dam protests

This short film describes the fight to prevent the construction of the Gordon-Below-Franklin dam in Tasmania in 1982–83. It also looks at the role of the Tasmanian Wilderness Society and the High Court ruling on the case.

In our collection

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A black and white photograph of a woman in overalls looking at the ground so her face can not be seen. She is being escorted to the back of a police van by two police officers. A third policeman is stranding by the door and a police woman and another policeman can be seen standing in the background. This picture is taken over a fence which can be seen in the bottom left hand side of the picture. Another camera is filming through the fence.

A woman being arrested during protests to save the Franklin River

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A black and white photograph of seven protesters standing on a jetty holding a large banner that reads "WORLD HERITAGE / NATIONAL SHAME". A smaller flag is being waved by one protester that reads "RESCUE THE RAINFORESTS".

Protests during the campaign to save the Franklin River

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A white t-shirt with a colourful Wilderness Society emblem on the front which features a platypus with flowers, trees and a rocky gorge inside a tear drop shape. Black text above and below the emblem reads "FRANKLIN & LOWER GORDON TASMANIA'S LAST WILD RIVERS...LET THEM FLOW FREE." The manufacturers label reads 'BONDS.16'.

Franklin and Lower Gordon Tasmania's Last Wild Rivers...Let Them Flow Free

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An orange fabric life jacket, padded with plastic air filled pillows. The jacket has a white zip at the front, with two black plastic belts around the chest and waist and a drawstring around the bottom edge to hold it on firmly. A label sewn into the jacket gives a warning and instructions. The manufacturer's label on the front reads 'Marlin'.

Bob Brown's life jacket

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Related resources

Defining moment

A group of protesters with hiking gear squatting or standing on a dirt road. They are holding the Australian flag and various banners, one that reads 'NO DAMS'.

Franklin Dam protests

Investigation lesson

No Dams

1.4 Damming the river or damning the river? 1982 Franklin Dam and the Greens

Learning module

Colour photograph of a seven members of the High Court.

Law and democracy Defining Moments

Defining moment

Coral outcrop on Flynn Reef, off the coast of Cairns on the Great Barrier Reef.

Great Barrier Reef Marine Park created