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Banner - Keep Dover PUBLIC.
Collection code: Artworks. Machine stitched blue and yellow fabric. Attributed to active Federation members. Weight: 0.3 kg ; 1 kg with timber rods. Small banner. Probable date of creation 1982. Created for NSW Teachers Federation "Keep Dover PUBLIC" campaign. Campaign note: In July 1982 it was announced that Dover Heights Boys High School would be sold. “The Federation could not accept the prospect. It initially offered formal resistance and pursued conventional forms of lobbying and persuasion, including huge parent and teacher protest meetings. When this failed the stakes were raised. The government was intransigent. The sale was to go through. A rich private school, Moriah College, would have the site. Then the union moved to picketing the site. The picket line was maintained for 15 days and nights with teachers and union officials involved. An entire Federation annual conference was reconvened at the school for a period [21 December 1982]. The union came under intense pressure and the standard-issue media condemnation of the Federation ensured. Death threats were made against members of the union’s leadership. The president had to be given protection. Community members rallied and sent supplies, including chicken soup, to the picketers. It was a long struggle. A public picnic was held in the park adjacent to the school and the picnic-goers were confronted with the sight of armed guards and Dobermans patrolling the public school. Those at the picnic were also alarmed at the guards taking photographs of parents and teachers and community members protesting the government intentions.” – Denis Fitzgerald, Teachers and their times. Finally, on 17 November 1983, it was announced that Dover Heights would become a TAFE College. Campaign note: In July 1982 it was announced that Dover Heights Boys High School would be sold. “The Federation could not accept the prospect. It initially offered formal resistance and pursued conventional forms of lobbying and persuasion, including huge parent and teacher protest meetings. When this failed the stakes were raised. The government was intransigent. The sale was to go through. A rich private school, Moriah College, would have the site. Then the union moved to picketing the site. The picket line was maintained for 15 days and nights with teachers and union officials involved. An entire Federation annual conference was reconvened at the school for a period [21 December 1982]. The union came under intense pressure and the standard-issue media condemnation of the Federation ensured. Death threats were made against members of the union’s leadership. The president had to be given protection. Community members rallied and sent supplies, including chicken soup, to the picketers. It was a long struggle. A public picnic was held in the park adjacent to the school and the picnic-goers were confronted with the sight of armed guards and Dobermans patrolling the public school. Those at the picnic were also alarmed at the guards taking photographs of parents and teachers and community members protesting the government intentions.” – Denis Fitzgerald, Teachers and their times. Finally, on 17 November 1983, it was announced that Dover Heights would become a TAFE College.