The "Written on the 150th anniversary of Australian labour winning the eight-hour day." comment on John's song has particular interest for me as that campaign started with actions by the bricklayers and stonemasons who, in 1856, built the first building of Melbourne University. These days it's the Law Quadrangle although it has held administrative offices and various other things; because of its mock Tudor arches it is regularly used as a backdrop on telly.

At the time, the unionists campaigned for an 8 hour day and the university, backed by the govt., resisted tooth and nail. After quite a long campaign the unionists won and the university has never forgiven the working class. Not one public holiday with working class origins was recognised by Melbourne Uni in all the time I was there.

The Victorian Eight Hour Day (often called "Labour Day") is the second Monday in March and most Melbournians regard it as the day of the Moomba Parade. Melbourne Uni always started its First Term lectures on that day. Peoples' Day at the Royal Melbourne Show (usually called "Show Day") is the third Thursday in September and is a public holiday for everyone in Melbourne except Melbourne Uni, where it's "lectures as usual". The first Tuesday in November is known, even internationally, as Melbourne Cup Day and the public holiday is widely acknowledged even outside Victoria. Melbourne Uni routinely held (and may still hold) exams on that day. While it may be a bit of a long bow to describe Anzac Day in such terms, Melbourne Uni didn't even publicly observe it until conscription (for the Australian involvement in Vietnam) started biting the mass of its students. Of course, Melbourne Uni has always acknowledged Australia Day (previously celebrated as ANA Day) Queen's Birthday as public holidays; they were acceptable to the elites.

So, while the comment describing John's song as celebrating the 150th aniiversary might be correct in a national context, some of us have particular cause to celebrate all the steps along the path.

Cheers, Rowan