Fundraising

Australia & the Spanish Civil War: Activism & Reaction

There were many anti-war groups in the wake of the First World War in Australia. Many of these groups now took up the cause of the embattled Spanish people, on both sides. While promoting a peaceful resolution to the conflict, they conducted fundraising activities to allay the suffering in Spain. Raising money for food to feed refugees displaced by the war was popular with both pro-Republican and pro-Franco groups in Australia.

In addition, a variety of committees sprang up in response to the Spanish Civil War. The Spanish Relief Committees, based in various cities in Australia, were pro-Republican, and their fundraising efforts quickly went beyond just food and medicine for refugees, to sponsoring ambulances and medical teams.

Spanish Relief Committee of Australia banner on the side of a goods train in France

Spanish Relief Committee of Australia banner on the side of a goods train in France

Defend Spanish Democracy! Fundraising stamps for Spanish Relief, Spanish Relief Committee, Sydney

Defend Spanish Democracy! Fundraising stamps for Spanish Relief, Spanish Relief Committee, Sydney

Fundraising stamps for Spanish Relief, Spanish Relief Committee, Sydney

Fundraising stamps for Spanish Relief, Spanish Relief Committee, Sydney

Food for Spain

Food for Spain

Cheque for 1,000 pounds issued by the Spanish Relief Committee and cabled to Paris for the purchase of food and medical supplies

Cheque for 1,000 pounds issued by the Spanish Relief Committee and cabled to Paris for the purchase of food and medical supplies

Food for Bilbao

Food for Bilbao

May Day parade float of the Spanish Relief Committee, Sydney, 1938

May Day parade float of the Spanish Relief Committee, Sydney, 1938

May Day demonstration, Sydney - Spanish Relief Committee's float, 1938

May Day demonstration, Sydney - Spanish Relief Committee's float, 1938

Food for Spain button

Food for Spain button

Fundraising stamps for Spanish Relief, Spanish Relief Committee, Melbourne

Fundraising stamps for Spanish Relief, Spanish Relief Committee, Melbourne

Postcard showing an ambulance donated by the Spanish Relief Committee

Postcard showing an ambulance donated by the Spanish Relief Committee

3.000.000 are faced with famine

3.000.000 are faced with famine

Ambulances for Spain

Ambulances for Spain

Map of Franco-held Spain and request for donations for Spanish relief

Map of Franco-held Spain and request for donations for Spanish relief