 Perhaps our education system has changed since the 1980s - my guess is not enough. I know more about European and American history than I do about Australian history. That's not just a shame, it's shameful. And even the bits I "know" it turns out are patchy. For instance I was well aware about the debate over conscription - in the Vietnam War. Somehow the violent protests around the 1916 and 1917 conscription referendums escaped the assigned textbooks or I slept through that bit. But a light is about to be shone on that missing chapter. In the lead up to the Centenary of the Armistice on November 11 the world premiere of a new work will be staged in Brisbane. The Blood Votes has been written by Michael Futcher in association with the Queensland Shakespeare Ensemble and University of Queensland historians. It looks at the issue that divided the country, that divided families and communities through the eyes of mothers, sons, soldiers, workers, politicians and religious leaders. It doesn't seek to provide the answer only to help the audience navigate its way through the different perspectives of the intense debate. And as they say, those who forget history are condemned to repeat it.
The Blood Votes will be staged at the Holy Trinity Church Hall from Wednesday November 7 until Sunday November 11.
You can hear our discussion with two of the cast members here.
Tickets to the production are available here.
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