Biography

Ray Harris, born 1955, Melbourne, Australia. As a child I lived in Jacana (Broadmeadows) until grade 4, then moved to Glen Waverley where I went to Pinewood Primary and then Monash High School. In 5^th form I became a student anarchist and became active in the Secondary Students Association and worked on the student magazine.

1973-76

I got a studentship to study Primary education at Burwood Teacher’s College where I edited the student newspaper Banter. However, I spent half my time at Monash University and lived in student households with anarchist students from Monash, including Professor Jenny Hocking. I was in the offices of Lot’s Wifewhen we got the news that Whitlam had been sacked. We went into the demonstration immediately.

1975

It was from this group that the Black Rose co-operative was formed and we bought land from the Treasure family on the Mitchell River at Dargo. I became increasingly frustrated with teaching and decided to put more time into establishing the commune. However, the group broke apart due to internal tensions and study/career commitments. It became a hobby farm for the remnants.

Black Rose Co-operative, 1975

1976-81