Cameron, Annette (1920-2008)

Field of activity
Feminist, Political activist, Political candidate and Social activist
NLA Persistent Identifier
http://nla.gov.au/nla.party-771097

Biographies

Annette Cameron was born in Middle Swan WA in 1920. Her interest in politics was sparked by the Spanish Civil War, prompting her to join the Modern Women's Club, the Anti-Fascist League, and, in 1941, the Communist Party. She was an active campaigner for peace, human rights, and Aboriginal causes.

Annette Elizabeth Moore was born in 1920 in Middle Swan, Western Australia. Her family had helped develop the area; her great-grandfather’s brother, George Fletcher Moore, had arrived from Ireland in 1830 and obtained a grant, which he called Millendon, on the Upper Swan. Annette’s grandfather, William Dalgety Moore, had represented Fremantle in the colony's Legislative Council from August 1870 to May 1872, and in 1890-94 was a nominee in the first Legislative Council. Annette was educated in Perth, and gained a reputation as a rebel while attending St Hilda’s Anglican School for Girls. Her interest in politics was aroused by the Spanish Civil War, and after attending meetings of the Modern Women’s Club and joining the Anti-Fascist League, Cameron became a member of the Communist Party of Australia in 1941. She then moved to Sydney, worked in the Party offices, and began what was to be a lifelong friendship with Katharine Susannah Prichard. She was jailed for a short time after her arrest during a campaign supporting Indonesian independence from Dutch colonialism.

Annette moved back to Perth after the war, joining Sam Aarons, who she had met in Sydney. They had a son, Gerald, in 1949. In the late 1950s, when Sam was travelling in China and suffered a heart attack, the Chinese Authorities flew Annette and Gerald to China to be with him during his lengthy recuperation. Banquets were held in their honour, and Annette apparently made a lasting impression on Chairman Mao. According to Perth newspaper The West Australian, he was so impressed by her ‘beauty and intelligence’ that he ‘made it clear that a place was waiting for her as his consort.’ The Aarons family returned to Australia after about a year, however, and resumed working for the Party. Sam Aarons died in 1971, and Annette later married Duncan Cameron.

Annette Cameron worked in many different capacities for the Communist Party, including painting political slogans and selling Workers’ Star and Tribune. She was also active on a number of committees, attended countless meetings, addressed audiences on the Esplanade, and directed the campaigns of political candidates. She stood as a Communist Party candidate in State elections, for the Senate in 1955 and 1958, and for the House of Representatives in 1966.

In the 1960s, Annette was at the forefront of the Communist Party’s anti-Vietnam War marches. At the Vietnam War Moratoriums, which attracted thousands of people, Annette and Duncan became leading activists at large-scale rallies and assisted young men who refused conscription. Annette and Duncan also campaigned actively for Aboriginal rights. Annette Cameron suffered from multiple sclerosis for thirty-five years, making the years following the death of Duncan in 2005 particularly difficult. She died at the age of eighty-eight in 2008.

View the full record at Australian Women's Register

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Resources for Annette Cameron

Selected resources (6)

Australian Women's Register

  1. Mao took shine to Perth 'red' activistThe West Australian 59 : Mao took shine to Perth 'red' activist
    Mendez, Torrance
    [2008]
  2. An Index to Parliamentary Candidates in Western Australian Elections 1890-1989
    Black, David
    [1989]
  3. Well read : a bibliography of Communist Party & other sources collected in Western Australia by Annette and Duncan Cameron
    Bosworth, Michal
    [1997]
    Published: Search Foundation
  4. The first furrow
    Williams, Justina
    [1976]
    Published: Lone Hand Press
  5. JS Battye Library of West Australian History, State Library of Western Australia: Cameron Collection (1919 - 1995)
    An significant part of the collection relates to communism, including the records of the West Australian Branch of the Communist Party of Australia which closed in 1991. Other papers concern women's issues, human rights, Eureka Youth League, civil liberites, Vietnam anti-war protests, world peace, disarmament, anti-nuclear campaign, Aboriginal issues, and China. Papers of individuals include Les Bloomfield, Kevin Healy, Paul Robeson, Joe Chamberlain, Bill and Dorothy Irwin, Paddy Troy, and Katherine Susannah Prichard. A detailed listing is available.
    ACC 4765A
  6. JS Battye Library of West Australian History, State Library of Western Australia: Union of Australian Women. Western Australian Branch (1938 - 1973)
    This collection includes the records of the Western Australian branch of the Modern Women’s Club and the Union of Australian Women. It includes correspondence regarding International Women’s Day, files about moral and social issues, equal pay for women, political issues and the Wooraloo Hospital dispute. Records Annual reports (1954-1962); correspondence (1938-1973), including correspondence on International Women's Day (1938-1969); minutes (1961-1972), newsletters and subject files on social, moral and political topics e.g. equal pay, Wooroloo Hospital controversy ; file of documents and correspondence relating to the State Editorial Committee for "Our women" magazine; photographs. Includes eulogy, given by her daughter Olga on 15 May 1986, for Elsie Peders, a member of the Modern Women's Club and the Union of Australian Women.
    ACC 1838A, 5003A, 5160A

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  1. Duncan Cameron
    Created by artfox, 34 items.

    Family Research re Duncan Cameron of Glen Roy Lochaber

  2. Cameron family
    Created by hrae, 1 item.

    Family of John Glenevis Cameron

  3. Christina Eliza Cameron
    Created by artfox, 1 item.

    Family Research re Christina Eliza Cameron of Gininderra New South Wales

  1. Cameron, Annette (1920-2008)
    ... Annette Cameron was born in Middle Swan WA in 1920. Her interest in politics was sparked by the ...
    This resource is likely to be relevant to your query (score: 0.122)

    This resource is likely to be relevant to your query (score: 0.122)

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  1. Alien zone II : the spaces of science-fiction cinema / edited by Annette Kuhn
    Kuhn, Annette
    [ Book : 1999 ]
    At 38 libraries
    This resource may be of limited relevance to your query (score: 0.208)

    This resource may be of limited relevance to your query (score: 0.208)

  2. The new retirement : how to afford the good life / Annette Sampson
    Sampson, Annette
    [ Book : 2007 ]
    At 65 libraries
    This resource may be of limited relevance to your query (score: 0.18)

    This resource may be of limited relevance to your query (score: 0.18)

  3. Internet inquiry : conversations about method / edited by Annette N. Markham, Nancy K. Baym
    Markham, Annette N
    [ Book : 2009 ]
    At 38 libraries
    This resource may be of limited relevance to your query (score: 0.127)

    This resource may be of limited relevance to your query (score: 0.127)

  4. Impression management and defensive denial in socially desirable responding / by Annette Cameron Todd
    Todd, Annette Cameron
    [ Thesis : 1985 ]
    This resource may be of limited relevance to your query (score: 0.123)

    This resource may be of limited relevance to your query (score: 0.123)

  1. Cameron collection
    Cameron, Annette, 1920-
    [ Unpublished : 1919-1995 ]
    At WA State Library
    This resource may be of limited relevance to your query (score: 0.207)

    This resource may be of limited relevance to your query (score: 0.207)

  2. The history and adventures of the renowned Don Quixote : Translated from the Spanish of Miguel de Cervantes Saavedra. .. / By T. Smollett, M.D
    Cervantes Saavedra, Miguel de, 1547-1616
    [ Book, Audio book, Published : 1605-2010 ]
    Languages: English, Spanish, French, [12 others]
    read online at Open Library/Internet Archive
    View online
    At 36 libraries
    This resource may only be vaguely related to your query: matching terms may only have been found in the full text contents of the resource (score: 0.029)

    This resource may only be vaguely related to your query: matching terms may only have been found in the full text contents of the resource (score: 0.029)

  3. Marilyn Unrun ; George Sargent ; Crystal Sue Savage ; Jacalyn Louise Savage ; Danny M. Schell ; John Karl Schwartzkopf ; Pamela Sue Secrist ; Marilyn Elizabeth Seipp ; Carol Ann Shannon ; Alan Lance Sharp ; Geoffery Cameron Shaw ; Merilyn Annette She...
    Northern Arizona University
    [ Unpublished ]
    View online
    This resource may only be vaguely related to your query: matching terms may only have been found in the full text contents of the resource (score: 0.017)

    This resource may only be vaguely related to your query: matching terms may only have been found in the full text contents of the resource (score: 0.017)

  1. [Interview with Alec Cameron] [interviewed by Annette Roberts]
    Cameron, Alec
    [ Sound : 1986 ]
    At WA State Library
    This resource may be of limited relevance to your query (score: 0.208)

    This resource may be of limited relevance to your query (score: 0.208)

  2. Emma / Jane Austen
    Austen, Jane, 1775-1817
    [ Book, Audio book, Sound : 1815-2011 ]
    Languages: English, Chinese, Italian, [16 others]
    read online at Open Library/Internet Archive
    View online
    At 168 libraries
    This resource may only be vaguely related to your query: matching terms may only have been found in the full text contents of the resource (score: 0.053)

    This resource may only be vaguely related to your query: matching terms may only have been found in the full text contents of the resource (score: 0.053)

  3. Smallville
    Warner Home Video (Firm)
    [ Video : 2000-2011 ]
    Languages: English, French, Spanish, Portuguese
    At 29 libraries
    This resource may only be vaguely related to your query: matching terms may only have been found in the full text contents of the resource (score: 0.035)

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  4. Jennifer Drake and Christopher Cann interviewed by Alex Hood and Annette Hood in the Alex Hood folklore collection
    Drake, Jennifer, 1959-
    [ Sound : 2008 ]
    At National Library
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    This resource may only be vaguely related to your query: matching terms may only have been found in the full text contents of the resource (score: 0.035)

  1. Dokey, Cameron. Sunlight and shadow.(Brief Article)(Young Adult Review)(Book Review)
    Wells, Annette
    Kliatt
    [ Article : 2004 ]
    View online (conditions apply)
    This resource may be of limited relevance to your query (score: 0.067)

    This resource may be of limited relevance to your query (score: 0.067)

  2. Emma / Jane Austen
    Austen, Jane, 1775-1817
    [ Book, Audio book, Sound : 1815-2011 ]
    Languages: English, Chinese, Italian, [16 others]
    read online at Open Library/Internet Archive
    View online
    At 168 libraries
    This resource may be of limited relevance to your query (score: 0.061)

    This resource may be of limited relevance to your query (score: 0.061)

  3. Names in the news.(Cameron Diaz testified for forgery concerning topless pictures)(Brad Pitt hospitalized for suffering from viral meningitis)(Eminem involved in an accident)
    John-Hall, Annette
    Philadelphia Inquirer (Philadelphia, PA)
    [ Article : 2005 ]
    View online (conditions apply)
    This resource may be of limited relevance to your query (score: 0.054)

    This resource may be of limited relevance to your query (score: 0.054)

  4. The ways that never parted : Jews and Christians in late antiquity and the early Middle Ages / edited by Adam H. Becker and Annette Yoshiko Reed
    Becker, Adam H
    [ Book, Conference Proceedings : 2003-2007 ]
    At 10 libraries
    This resource may be of limited relevance to your query (score: 0.051)

    This resource may be of limited relevance to your query (score: 0.051)

  1. Website: SEARCH Foundation
    www.search.org.au
    Matching pages:
    View 44 matching archived pages
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    This resource may be of limited relevance to your query (score: 0.009)

  2. Website: Australian Women in War
    www.womenaustralia.info
    Matching pages:
    View 14 matching archived pages
    This resource may be of limited relevance to your query (score: 0.007)

    This resource may be of limited relevance to your query (score: 0.007)

  3. Website: Australian Women's Archives Project
    www.womenaustralia.info
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    View 36 matching archived pages
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  1. New Year's Day Trio At Mile End Were All Girls
    The Advertiser (Adelaide, SA : 1931 - 1954) Wednesday 3 January 1951 p 4 Article Illustrated
    ... born, followed by Annette Potter ter (centre) and Rosemary Martin (right). Nurses B. Slattery (left) and S. Cameron (right) are holding the babies. All three New Year's Day births at the Emergency ... born, followed by Annette Potter ter (centre) and Rosemary Martin (right). Nurses B. Slattery (left) ... 107 words
    This resource may have relevance to your query (score: 0.009)

    This resource may have relevance to your query (score: 0.009)

  2. ON LAWN AT ELWICK
    Examiner (Launceston, Tas. : 1900 - 1954) Thursday 30 March 1950 p 5 Article Illustrated
    ... ON LAWN AT ELWICK photo. GROUP on the lawn at Elwick wick yesterday, when the King's Cup was run. From left: Mrs. E. A. Rogers (Hobart), Miss Annette Youl (Perth), Mrs. Ralph Cameron (Nile), Mrs. Z. Cameron (Berriedale), Miss Margaret Strutt (Hobart) and Mr. ilex O'Kelly (Jeri cho). (Cup Details, ... 57 words
    This resource may have relevance to your query (score: 0.009)

    This resource may have relevance to your query (score: 0.009)

  3. Family Notices
    Examiner (Launceston, Tas. : 1900 - 1954) Tuesday 8 April 1947 p 6 Family Notices
    ... nette). ??ç. CAMERON (noe Room).-On April ?i's 5. at Queen Victoria Hospital, :t Launceston» to Betty, wife of J. S- Cameron, Burnie-a son. ... 79 words
    This resource may have relevance to your query (score: 0.009)

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