There will be a Memorial event to celebrate the life of Joan Coxedge on 24th February 2024, at 2pm, at Melbourne Unitarian Peace Memorial Church, 110 Grey St, East Melbourne.
Her legacy is best summed up in her own words. “We must continue working for a better world. I want my grandchildren to live in a society, with a spirit of independence, a society that puts people before profits and looks after the environment.”
LIVE STREAM for those who can’t attend: See “www.ravensfunerals.com.au”. And there’s a Virtual Signature Bookfor people to sign as well.
In lieu of flowers, the family has requested and would appreciate donations to “Medicines Sans Frontiers”.
Fighter On Behalf of The Working Class
Joan fought for social justice and human rights her whole life. She used her wonderful oratory, artistic and writing skills to build and support progressive movements. Joan cut her teeth in the Vietnam War and she was a driving force in the” Save Our Sons” anti-conscription movement. For her efforts Joan and 4 other women were given 14 days gaol for handing out leaflets to young men registering for National Service at the Department of Labor and National Service.
In the 1970s Joan and other members of the Unitarian Church campaigned against the fascist Ustasha. This led then Labor’s Attorney General Murphy to make his famous raid on ASIO. Joan chaired the Committee for The Abolition Of Political Police.
Joan became the first Labor Party woman to be elected to the Legislative Council in July 1979. She served as the Member for Melbourne West until 1992. Joan fiercely defended the rights of her constituents in the Western Suburbs of Melbourne. On one occasion letting off a stink bomb in the parliamentary chamber, because of the government’s failure to address the pollution in the west.
Joan supported the Palestinians. Joan opposed the US invasions of Iraq and Afghanistan. She worked with progressive movements in Central and South America. As Joan wrote… “US foreign policy has nothing to do with morality, but everything to do with making the world safe for American corporations; to prevent the rise of any society that might offer an alternative to the capitalist mode and to extend its political and economic hegemony over as wide an area as possible.”
In 1998 Joan worked with Terry Norris (MP Noble Park), Margaret Roadknight, the Victorian Welsh Choir, Nola Brooks and others to celebrate the 100th Anniversary of the birth of that great US singer and political activist Paul Robeson. A spectacular concert was held at the Melba Hall in Carlton.
Joan held Cuba in a special place in her heart. She worked tirelessly against the US blockade of Cuba and raised funds for the Cuba Friendship Society through her brilliant drawings of old Havana. Joan was awarded a medal of honour by the Cuban Ambassador for outstanding work in defence of their socialist revolution.
Joan understood that peace had to be fought for. She was a long time member and supporter of the Campaign for International Cooperation and Disarmament (CICD). Joan supported John Speight and Romina Beitseen in organising the CICD 60th Anniversary celebrations in 2019.
Joan Coxsedge was a great fighter for human dignity, international solidarity and a true representative of the working class. We will not forget her and the example she set. She was a tremendous force in the Australia-Cuba Friendship Society, and we miss her forthright views, her humour, courage and strength.