Obituaries Australia

Eva Robinson, ASIO surveillance photograph, c.1969-1972

National Archives of Australia, A9626, 120

Eva Robinson died on November 29. Eva achieved a measure of fame early in her life by winning an open scholarship to the Queensland University — one of only 20 such scholarships then awarded.

She had a distinguished academic career, graduating in Arts and achieving a Master's degree.

During the Depression years of the 30s, Eva, like many others, was shocked and indignant at the phenomenal rate of unemployment and poverty in this "land of plenty".

She saw the main hope for the future in the activities and policies of the CPA, which she joined, remaining a member until her death.

Early in her membership of the party, she was recognised as a gifted and capable leader at state and national level, as well as in the area where she worked.

In the '30s also, the menace of the Second World War and of worldwide fascism gave birth to popular anti-war and anti-fascist movements. Eva joined in these wholeheartedly, achieving eminence in the women's peace movement, which continued the anti-war traditions formed by women in the First World War, and are honored today by such heroic actions as those of English women on Greenham Common and Australian women at Pine Gap and elsewhere.

Under the iniquitous laws then prevailing, Eva was forced to give up her teaching career on marriage to Albert Robinson in 1941. They had two children — Jim, born in 1942 and Max, born in 1944.

Despite her age and serious physical problems, Eva gave special attention to the social problems of women. She was one of the first of the older generation to welcome the advent of the movement for women's liberties in the '60s. She was particularly interested in the Union of Australian Women.

She was above all a brave, thoughtful and helpful human being who always maintained an intelligently optimistic view of the present and future possibilities for humankind.