Through compelling personal accounts, rare historical sources and powerful stories of conviction, sacrifice and resilience, this course uncovers the lives of Australians who travelled to Spain during the Spanish Civil War. Explore the choices they made, the challenges they faced and the lasting impact of their actions on both international events and Australian history. Whether you are passionate about history, fascinated by forgotten stories, or simply curious about the people behind major world events, this engaging course offers a unique opportunity to connect with a little-known chapter of Australia's past. Thought-provoking and deeply human, it sheds light on individuals whose experiences continue to resonate today.

DELIVERY MODE

Face to face

COURSE RESOURCES

• Baxell, Richard. Unlikely Warriors: The British in the Spanish Civil War and the Struggle Against Fascism. London: Aurum Press, 2012.
• Inglis, Amirah. Australians in the Spanish Civil War. Sydney: Allen & Unwin, 1987.
• Keene, Judith, ed. Australians and the Spanish Civil War: Two Historic War-Time Pamphlets. Melbourne: Red Pen Publications, 1986.
• Keene, Judith. The Last Mile to Huesca: An Australian Nurse in the Spanish Civil War. Kensington, NSW: New South Wales University Press, 1988.
• Palmer, Nettie, and Len Fox. Australians in Spain: Our Pioneers Against Fascism. Sydney: Current Book Distributors, 1948.
• Samaras, Michael. Anti-Fascists: Jim McNeill and His Mates in the Spanish Civil War. Redland Bay, Qld.: Connor Court Publishing, 2025.
• Tremlett, Giles. The International Brigades: Fascism, Freedom and the Spanish Civil War. London: Bloomsbury, 2021.
• Universitat de Barcelona. SIDBRINT: Sistema d’Informació Digital sobre les Brigades Internacionals. Barcelona: Universitat de Barcelona, CRAI Biblioteca del Pavelló de la República. Accessed 1 October 2026.

COURSE OUTLINE

• What was the Spanish Civil War and why did it attract international volunteers?
• Who were the International Brigades?
• Who were the Australians who volunteered to serve in Spain?
• Australian brigaders, nurses, doctors and medical volunteers: their experiences and personal stories
• What happened to the Australian volunteers when they returned home?
• Remembering the Australians: memorials, commemoration and historical memory
• What was the significance of the Australian contribution?

LEARNING OUTCOMES

By the end of this course, students should be able to:

• Understand why Australians volunteered to participate in the Spanish Civil War and the roles they played.
• Explore the experiences and contributions of selected Australian volunteers through historical sources.
• Consider the significance of Australian involvement in the Spanish Civil War and how it has been remembered.