Vegetarianism in Australia - A History by Edgar Crook, 2008
The first vegetarian society in Australia began in 1886. Not sure about how much vegan content is in this but it is bound to be an interesting read. :)
http://www.ivu.org/history/australia/index.html It is in pdf form, and you can read chapters, or download the whole thing under a Creative Commons license. Behind the cut are the chapter headings and file sizes.
Introduction (77k)
1. The Establishment of Meat (65k)
Discusses how Australia was founded as a meat eating colony.
2. A New Dawn (68k)
Discusses when the first arguments for the diet are made in Australia.
3. Religious and Temperance Reformers (125k)
Discusses the linkage between temperance and vegetarianism in Australia.
4. Alfred Deakin and the Melbourne Spiritualists (135k)
Discusses Australia's second Prime Minister and his spiritualist circle.
5. Theosophical Vegetarianism (284k)
Discusses the major role that Theosophy has had in Australian vegetarianism.
6. The Advent of the Adventists (89k)
Discusses Ellen White and the Seventh-Day Adventists in Australia.
7. A Political Diet (924k)
Discusses how the diet was perceived within a political context and highlights various vegetarian politicians.
8. Women (102k)
Discusses the role of women in the vegetarian movement.
9. Eccentric Reformers (1,308k)
Contains short biographies of various Australian vegetarian eccentrics.
10. Dietary Reformers (134k)
Discusses vegetarianism as promoted by medial and health advocates.
11. A Sporting Diet (253k)
Contains examples of Australian vegetarian sports people.
12. Pure Food (1,445k)
Discusses the growth in vegetarian food products, restaurants and the rise of the health food industry.
13. Early Vegetarian Societies (3,896k)
Details the birth of the first Vegetarian Society in 1886 and its prime movers.
14. The Society Reborn (72k)
Details the re-birth of the Society in 1948.
15. Animal Rights and Welfare (94k)
Discusses the role of the animal rights and welfare movement.
16. Vegetarian Writers (98k)
Contains information on vegetarian writers and on literature relating to vegetarianism.
17. Opposing Artistic and Literary Perceptions (99k)
Contains examples of literary attacks on vegetarianism, primarily from The Bulletin.
18. Concluding Remarks (63k)
Do people think it is worth also posting to veganpeople? Not just for Australians but others interested perhaps. :)