New Acquisition: Noel Preston Papers 1976-2001

The John Oxley Library recently received an important and fascinating collection of personal papers and scrapbooks from Dr. Noel Preston; ethicist, academic, social justice campaigner and retired Uniting Church minister.  For more than fifty years Dr. Preston has led social justice movements in Queensland including The Concerned Christians, Citizens Against Corruption and People for Nuclear Disarmament.

The collection includes two cutting books compiled by Dr. Preston; "Citizens Against Corruption 1988-1990" and "The Concerned Christians Story 1970s and related matters re confrontation with the Bjelke-Petersen Government" as well as photographs, newspaper and journal articles, speech notes, and records for the organization People for Nuclear Disarmament (Queensland).  These records include a sound recording of the group's first big public rally held at Brisbane City Hall on 3rd November 1983.  The speakers included Aboriginal poet, Kath Walker (Oodgeroo Noonuccal), Quentin Bryce from the National Women's Advisory Council, Harry Hauenschild (President of the Queensland Trades and Labour Council) and retired US Army Colonel, David Hackworth.

The Concerned Christians, an ecumenical social action group, was formed in 1976 by Noel Preston and Father Richard Pascoe with the support of other clergy.  It became the activist spearhead of Christian protest in Queensland from the mid 1970s to the 1985 SEQEB dispute between the State Government and trade unions.  Issues in which the Concerned Christians were involved included Aboriginal affairs, abuse of police powers, abuse of parliament, and civil rights targeting the laws against street marches instituted by the Bjelke-Petersen Government

People for Nuclear Disarmament was launched on 31 July 1983 to address the world-wide concern about the threat of nuclear war.  Support for the group was immense as shown by the large crowds attending the Palm Sunday Rallies for Peace which were held in the 1980s.

The action group, Citizens Against Corruption, was formed in December 1988 in response to the findings of the Fitzgerald Inquiry into police corruption.  The inquiry led to the demise of the Bjelke-Peterson government, ending 32 years of National Party rule in Queensland and led to the jailing of three former ministers and a police commissioner.  The action group was a way for ordinary citizens to show their anger and concern and to help maintain the momentum and commitment for change.

The collection provides a unique insight into this transformative and dynamic era in Queensland politics.

The Noel Preston Collection (Acc: 28769, Box 16619 O/S A3) may be viewed at the John Oxley Library.

Lynn Meyers - Original Materials Librarian, State Library of Queensland