Local members of the Sydney based “Conservative Cave” Facebook group met tonight at the Great Southern Hotel on George Street for a casual dinner and drinks. Approximately 25 attendees gathered in the art deco dining hall of the hotel to share stories and experiences from recent projects, such as the Marriage Campaign which this year has been spearheaded by Testify, a network of young Christian activists and a friend of the Sydney Traditionalists.

Some of the attendees at the first face-to-face meeting of the “Conservative Cave” in Sydney.

It has been said that “if you’re not online, you’re not real, but if you’re not on the street, you’re not serious”. Online campaigns can be effective and electronic media has often proven itself to be invaluable as an organisational tool. With the Left firmly in control of mainstream media outlets (and increasingly, even many of those alleging to be conservative), online technologies are becoming even more important as devices for information exchange and reportage. But social movements demand physical proximity. Too often, people limit their efforts to activities such as blogging, and neglect the most important aspect of movement-building: personal contact and face-to-face engagement. Meetings such as these are simple, but they play a very important role in the shaping of a collegiate spirit among like minded people, as well as fostering an air of camaraderie which is essential to develop a sense of common purpose and understanding.

The Federation Flag on display at Sydney’s Central Station (14 September 2012).

Tonight, attendees continued a tradition that has been common among a smaller group of the Sydney Traditionalists over the last decade: the book exchange. Independent minded conservative activists on campus can frequently become disillusioned with the group-think and stifling atmosphere of party-politics. A response to this has been the establishment of a small but resilient network which has been focused on political philosophy and ideas. The book exchange provides a much needed environment where attendees can become exposed to literature they would otherwise not encounter at University or party circles.

The evening was a great success and we look forward to working more closely with the “Conservative Cave” and making this a more regular feature with the rest of our calendar of activities. Auspiciously, as members left the venue on their way home, the Federation Flag (which is a dominant features of our logo) was seen proudly displayed at the main hall of Central Station. This was a fitting end to a busy week, and we hope that it will be a good start to another season of political activity around Sydney and its University campuses.

The “Conservative Cave” is a moderated online group and can be contacted through the Sydney Traditionalists via our Contact page.

– SydneyTrads Editors

SydneyTrads is the internet portal and communication page of the Sydney Traditionalist Forum, an association of individuals who form part of the Australian paleoconservative, “traditionalist conservative” and “independent right”.