Bob Gould (activist)
Bob Gould | |
|---|---|
| Born | 1937 |
| Died | Error: Need valid birth date (second date): year, month, day |
| Occupation(s) | Activist, bookseller |
| Known for | Anti-conscription campaign, opposition to Vietnam War, founding second-hand bookstores |
Robert Stephen "Bob" Gould (1937 – 22 May 2011) was a prominent Australian activist and bookseller, recognized for his leadership in the anti-conscription campaign and opposition to Australia's participation in the Vietnam War during the 1960s. He later became known for founding a thriving second-hand bookstore enterprise.
Politics and activism
Gould rose to public prominence in 1966 when he served as Convenor of the Vietnam Action Campaign, a group dedicated to resisting conscription and Australia's involvement in the Vietnam conflict. By 1969, he had significant influence over Labor Clubs at the University of Sydney, the University of New South Wales, and Macquarie University.
His activism extended beyond Vietnam; Gould was a vocal supporter of Irish civil rights, denounced Indonesian military actions in East Timor, and stood against the Iraq War. As an avid writer on these topics, he attracted considerable scrutiny from authorities, with the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation (ASIO) compiling an extensive 8,000-page dossier on him.
Gould inspired organizations such as SCREW (Society for the Cultivation of Revolution Everywhere) and High School Students Against the Vietnam War, playing a pivotal role within the anti-conscription movement. In 1966, he notably helped apprehend an individual who attempted to assassinate Labor leader Arthur Calwell.
Joining the Australian Labor Party at approximately 17 years old around 1954, Gould remained a committed member throughout his life. He actively resisted the right-wing Groupers during the 1955 split within the Labor Party and chronicled these experiences in his essay "Bob Santamaria and Bob Gould."
Initially influenced by the Communist Party of Australia, Gould distanced himself from it in 1956 after Khrushchev's Secret Speech and the Soviet invasion of Hungary. He circulated copies of Khrushchev's address among Communist members and left-wing Labor affiliates.
Following this break, he aligned with Australian Trotskyists who opposed Stalinism, including union figure Nick Origlass. Gould also engaged with Helen Palmer, publisher of the left-wing magazine Outlook, which served as a platform for anti-Stalinist leftists who departed from the Communist Party post-1956.
Throughout his life, Gould identified as an anti-Stalinist Marxist.
Bookseller
As a bookseller based in Sydney, Gould became well-known for opening twelve bookstores over time, with eleven eventually closing after he inaugurated his first shop—the Third World Bookshop—in 1967. His establishments gained a reputation for stocking underground comics, posters, and a diverse array of materials including leftist literature. Notably, his Leichhardt outlet continued to offer Betamax video tapes long after that format fell out of use.
Gould’s stores frequently challenged Australia's stringent censorship regulations and were often subject to raids by New South Wales police vice squads. In 1969, at age 32 and owner of the Third World Bookshop located in Woollahra, he faced charges related to publishing obscene content—specifically posters created by artist Aubrey Beardsley. Despite legal defenses emphasizing their artistic value, Gould was convicted and fined.
He and his bookstore were featured in the 1999 film Erskineville Kings. A comprehensive profile detailing his business appeared in The Sydney Morning Herald just two months prior to his passing.
Death
Gould passed away on Sunday, 22 May 2011 due to injuries sustained from a fall while organizing books in his store. He was aged 74. His funeral service on 26 May at Macquarie Park drew over 500 attendees; the ceremony was extended to accommodate all tributes.
Federal parliamentarians Andrew Leigh and Daryl Melham honoured Gould with speeches in the Australian Parliament. Additionally, New South Wales Opposition Leader John Robertson and government minister Brad Hazzard paid their respects during sessions of the Parliament of New South Wales.