Liberating History surveyed the annual “Women’s Issue” volumes of Tharunka, UNSW’s oldest student periodical. Tharunka’s Women’s Issue, launched in 1971 during second-wave feminism, is a platform designed to highlight women’s voices at UNSW through critical and creative commentary, satire, and visual art.

Drawing on materials from UNSW Archives, Liberating History explored shifting perspectives over the past 50 years on a range of socio-political and feminist topics, from the Women’s Liberation Movement advocating for gender equality to abortion rights, sexuality, and discrimination. The materials in this display illustrated how UNSW students utilise publications to advocate for social change and transformative thinking.

Top background images: Covers of Tharunka “Women’s Issues” (1971-2019). UNSW Archives. S394.

Accessibility: UNSW Art & Design Paddington Library is wheelchair accessible.