The 1960s

Monash University opened its doors in 1961, and within a few years gained a reputation as “Australia’s Berkeley”, known for its progressive politics and activism. In the early 60s, traditional gender roles and the sexualisation of women significantly shaped the female experience at Monash, often reflected in student media such as Lot’s Wife. The "Miss Monash" (or "Belle of Monash") contest was held annually from 1961. This commodified women, almost 'selling' them to Monash men - she had to be "sophisticated, talented, vivacious, intellectual, poised, stimulating, unspoiled – in other words SEXY". By the late 1960s, these objectifying and superficial representations of women started to fade, and by 1969, "Miss Monash" was gone for good.

In 1965 student newspaper editors began sprinkling in articles questioning traditional sex and gender roles. The appointment of Carol Russell in 1965 as the first C&S activities officer, displayed that women were starting to break into leadership roles. Russell’s appointment was soon followed by placing a female as head of the Democratic Labor Party. By the later 60s, feminist ideas began to take root, inspired by figures like Germaine Greer, leading to the formation of feminist and women’s liberation groups in the years to come. It was a time of tradition, but also importantly - a period that planted the seeds for change.

Archetype of a 1960s Lot's Wife image.

Leer Ye, Leer Ye article. (Lot's Wife 12/07/64).

Quick Facts:

• Carol Russell started the Monash Summer school, which offered units outside of the traditional semesters, allowing for greater flexibility. This was especially significant to mothers studying at Monash.
• In 1967, Lot’s Wife was accused by the press of being a “porno-political” publication. A female student replied in comment to this saying “Yes, it’s definitely right. I think it’s a magnificent porno-publication”.

The 1970s

The 1970s marked a significant escalation of feminist discourse at Monash University, as second-wave feminism gained momentum on campus. The formation of the Women's Liberation Club in 1971 was a major turning point, bringing formalised feminist activism into the university environment. By 1973, women and their involvement in the feminist movement had moved from the sidelines to being an obvious force, directly confronting casual sexism and misogyny in every possible avenue. One striking example of this bold approach was the Lot’s Wife weekly article “The Silver Custer Award,” which featured an image of male genitalia alongside a critique of the "blatant degradation of women." This in-your-face commentary signified that feminist voices were no longer content with subtlety, they were challenging the status quo head-on.

First Silver Custer award that appeard in Lot's Wife  (05/03/1973, Ed. 01)

By 1974, the Abortion Law Appeal Club had emerged, reflecting the growing involvement of women in legal and health issues. Orientation Handbooks began regularly including articles on ‘Safe Sex,’ ‘Contraceptives,’ and ‘Sexual Harassment and Rape.’ Feminist groups organised a wide range of activities throughout the 70s, including distributing educational pamphlets on harassment and women's equality, as well as hosting the What is Healthy for Women? conference. In 1977, the establishment of the women’s room provided a dedicated space for, and a tangible representation of, women’s empowerment and safety on campus.

By the late 1970s, feminist activism reached a crescendo as posters exposing sexism in education filled the walls of the Union Building (now the Campus Centre), and student publications like Lot’s Wife reinforced these messages. Feminist ideals (empowerment, safety, and autonomy) had become integral to student culture at Monash University.

Quick Facts:

• In 1976 the Feminist Collective ran their own self-defence classes which continued into the early 2000s.
• In 1977 the women's room was opened.
• The Women’s liberation movement in Victoria’s demands were: Free 24-hour child-care, equal pay and job opportunities, equal educational opportunities, free abortion demands, free contraceptives.
• In 1972, the pay gap for cleaners at the University was $5.10 per hour. Brought down from $9.20 in two battles between female staff and Monash University over equal pay.

Anti-Sexism Collective Poster. Outlining when and where the first meeting will be for the group and what it will entail.

The 1980s

During the 1980s, while wider Australian feminist views perceived many of their goals as achieved, at Monash University, women continued to push the boundaries of feminism, particularly in traditionally male-dominated fields. This decade saw the rise of initiatives like the Women Engineers CLub (WEM), which provided a crucial platform for female engineering students to advocate for their rights, visibility and expand their presence in engineering. This highlights the contrast between broader societal perceptions and ongoing feminist activism as Monash.

By 1984, the Feminist Collective, a student run body, had started their own radio show, giving women a platform to express their views on gender and broader societal issues. The Anti-Sexism Collective, another student group, distributed its first flyer which was specifically targeting campus culture and attempting to expose the underlying sexism at Monash. 

Monash made significant academic strides with the establishment of the Centre for Women’s Studies and Gender Research in 1987, which incorporated feminist studies into the Arts curriculum. This marked a key moment of academic recognition of gender issues at Monash. Women were continuing to gain further ground in fields like engineering, physics and medicine, setting the stage for ongoing progress in areas historically dominated by men.

The 1990s

“To dissent is to disagree and question. I believe that we must constantly question the structures and mores of society.” 1993 Dissent pg 1.  

The 1990s saw solidification of women’s advocacy at Monash, with more formalised and organised efforts to address gender issues, as well as broader societal problems. One of the key moments was the 1991 “Campaign Against Violence,” which directly confronted issues of rape and sexual violence on campus, raising awareness and creating a safer environment for women. In 1993, the creation of the Women’s Officer role at M.A.S. (known today as MSA) signalled a dedicated focus on women’s issues within the student union. With the new Women’s officer, the student-led publication Dissent was born. Dissent served as a platform not only to address women’s issues, but also to explore broader political and societal topics. It became a voice for a wide range of perspectives, pushing the boundaries of feminist discourse beyond gender to encompass the wider landscape of social justice and activism.

In the mid 1990s there was a push within global feminist discourse for collective organising over traditional hierarchies. The MSA's Women's department adopted this idea in 1996 and changed the name of the Women’s Affairs Committee to the Women’s Affairs Collective.

Towards the end of the 90s, there was a development in cross-campus networking forums and greater involvement in national movements like NOWSA , further cementing women’s advocacy at Monash and connecting it to broader feminist movements across Australia. These efforts ensured that women’s voices became a permanent and powerful force on campus.

Violence against Women brochure.

1995 Dissent Newspaper, back cover.

Quick facts:

• • In 1992 two students in MAS attempted to axe what was the women’s department motion in a Union Board meeting. This was the result of a group of individuals wanting to rescind the women’s department.
  • In 1993 the Women’s Officer role at MAS was formed and voted in by a student vote (like a referendum).
  • In the mid 90s most student publications used the word ‘womyn’ instead of ‘women’. ‘Womyn’ is a term adopted by feminists in order to avoid the word ending -men.

The 2000s

The table displays a change in women's participation at Monash University. During the 90s the percentage of women in Full Time degrees was sitting around 30%, however, by 2000 it increased to 54% and has maintained around this amount since.

A postcard promoting involvement in the Monash Women's department (2006).

In the 2000’s, while the illusion persisted that gender equality had been achieved in wider society and archived for history, Monash students had pushed back against this complacency. Feminist advocacy expanded beyond campus-specific issues, to tackle issues like the introduction of the GST on tampons. Monash students actively protested against the "tampon tax", taking to the streets of Melbourne CBD on multiple occasions between 2000 and 2002. The Women’s Affairs Collective’s (WAC) budget reached $10,000 during this period, reflecting the growing importance of advocacy work and the university's recognition of it. 

In 2002, the Dissent publication made a significant statement by including an Acknowledgement of Country, recognizing the struggles of Indigenous Australians alongside those of women facing sexism. 

From 2003 to 2009, Monash feminists participated in the "Reclaim the Night" protests, emphasising women’s rights to safety and autonomy in public spaces and drawing attention to violence more broadly. The 2000s also brought attention to gender inequality in sports, as disparities in representation and resources were highlighted, showcasing the continuing fight for equality in all areas of society.

The table shows the change in women's participation at Monash University through full-time student enrolment. In the 1990s, women made up around 30% of full-time students. By 2000, this had increased to 54%, with participation fluctuating around 50% in the years since.

The 2010s

Fun Facts:

The 2010s had a resurgence of protests in Australia for women’s equality, as Julia Gillard was sworn in as Australia’s first female prime minister in 2010.

On the left: The Rad Sex & Consent Zine from 2014. On the right: Is an instagram post from 2019, promoting the next Girl Talk Session. Which was organised and hosted by MSA Women's Department.

In the 2010s, as fourth-wave feminism gained momentum, Monash women were at the forefront. The MSA Women’s Collective championed women’s empowerment through diverse media platforms, from student publications to social media. The launch of the MSA Women’s Department Instagram page in November 2018 expanded their outreach, providing an online safe space for students to discuss taboo or underrepresented topics.

In 2014, protests against the anti-choice groups and participation in national movements like “Reclaim the Night” underscored the Women’s Affairs Collective’s role in advocating for reproductive rights and women’s safety in society. In 2016, discussions around women in STEM highlighted the persistent efforts to break down barriers for women in male-dominated fields. These efforts had been going since the early 80s, however, more significant discussions were had around ‘changing the status quo’. 

Students standing with their International Women's Day posters for the march in 2019.

The activism of Monash women continued to extend beyond campus, engaging in national debates and campaigns while continuing to fight for equal rights and representation within the University, ensuring that advocacy remained central to student life.

The 2020s

Safe and Sexy week postcards.

The MSA Women's Department has long been a key advocate for women’s rights on campus, continuing to empower and support all students who identify as/or with women. Through a range of initiatives, including educational campaigns like “Safe & Sexy Week,” the department continues to focus on debunking taboos related to sex, body image, pleasure, and contraception. The Women’s Lounge offers a dedicated safe space for students, while their social media presence, particularly on Instagram, provides valuable resources, including support lines and informative posts. The Women’s officers and department are committed to advocating for safety on campus (especially with classes after dark becoming more common) and in 2024 initiated a new event called Survivor Healing Day.

The department remains committed to fostering equality, representation, and safety, promoting intersectionality and inclusivity across all disciplines.

By: Molly, MSA Archive Intern (Engineering and Arts student, 2024).

Quick Facts:

• There is a refresh station in the Women’s lounge, with contraceptives, period products, biscuits, face wipes and more!
• There is a weekly event called Tea Time Talks! that occurs weekly in the Women’s lounge on Tuesdays at 3pm.

Images from the safe and sexy week pink party. (2024)