The Hammer and Sickle and the Washing Up

Memoirs of an Australian Woman Communist

This is the story of a young female student who became devoted to both the Communist Party of Australia and to ‘the best man of his generation’, Ian Turner — a man some regarded as a future Prime minister.

Married at the age of 21 to this outstanding communist intellectual, Amirah was embarking on an exciting life. She was an active member of the Pprty during the most turbulent period of its history —through Menzies’ attempts to ban it, through the Petrov Commission and increasing anti-communist sentiment.

She was also a wife, mother and homemaker and, all too often, the world of organising, speaking travelling and holding meetings turned out to be the men’s world.

Even for comrade Amirah, the hammer and sickle made way for the washing up.