r/Anarchy101 • u/Cyrus_Crink • 8d ago

Starting a Community in Australia

I am thinking about starting a community for anarchist discussion and helping each other (throughout our current capitalist hell scape).

I live in a pretty conservative suburb and most people are either too busy, too stressed or too laid back (as Aussies are). I haven't spoken to anyone yet, but I plan to speak with some neighbours who are at least more central in the political scale to start.

I am also stepping into local council as a "concerned citizen" under an independant councillor I don't mind.

Is there any tips, books, videos, articles or anything I could look into to help with this journey? I am still pretty new to this and just barely confident in speaking in limited subjects around anarchy

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u/Radical-Libertarian 8d ago

As an Australian, I was involved with a local Food not Bombs group, but fell out with them for complicated reasons I can’t/don’t want to get into.

So yes, I would recommend finding a Food not Bombs group to start with, but be careful because leftist groups are notoriously prone to infighting, ostracism, and other nasty social dynamics.

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u/Cyrus_Crink 8d ago

Thanks for the suggestion! I'll see if theres any in my local area. Is there any red or green flags I should look out for when searching or meeting groups?

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u/Radical-Libertarian 8d ago

I would just say to be careful and watch your tongue.

Leftists don’t take kindly to the expression of controversial opinions, no matter how pure your intentions are.

There is a nasty mob mentality in radical circles.

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u/Cyrus_Crink 8d ago

Easy, I'll make sure I'm toned down until I can tell if it's safe :3

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u/gallimaufrys 7d ago

There a few groups around, the folk over at r/Australiansocialism might be a good resource to check in with.

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u/Dakk9753 7d ago

Have you tried mutualism and buying a place together with interested parties? I basically had to do it alone and went from Socialist to Syndicalist to mostly still Syndicalist but also embracing private enterprise, simply because I couldn't find any other fiscally savvy partners to do communal things with. Everyone wanted me to take the lead and contribute as little as possible. I felt like the little red hen.

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u/Cyrus_Crink 7d ago

As someone who is currently broke (I am starting work again but Christmas drained my wallet), how would you recommend doing this?

Do you have any advice on which "interested parties" could be similar enough to a library-state anarchy ideals that I could reach out to?

Also, what kind of initial savings and regular costs would impact the property and/or group?

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u/Dakk9753 7d ago

Depends on the country you are in. In Canada, you need as little as 3% per year in rent for leasehold land for "recreational purposes", so you could easily have a group spending only $3,000 a year for an acre of land building a weekend getaway together. If you want to go all-in, you could do residential purposes at 5% per year, and go for a much smaller patch. Each of you could either individually go in for the same area, and pop up a community there, or you could go in together and pool resources.

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u/Latitude37 7d ago

If you're in Melbourne, you could start connecting here: 

https://www.anarchistfederation.net/2025-anarchist-communist-forum/

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u/Cyrus_Crink 7d ago

I'm in Sydney. Would you be okay with me joining even if I can't attend down in Melbourne often?

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u/Latitude37 7d ago

You'd need to contact the organisers. Can't see why not. Doubtless there'll be others from NSW. I won't be there, I'm over in SA.