FoE Australia was founded in 1974 at a meeting on French Island in Westernport Bay, Victoria, which was then the site for a proposed nuclear reactor. Over the last 35 years, FoE has evolved into a diverse and vibrant network of groups that are working at the local, regional, national and international level. FoE sees that pursuing environmental protection is inseparable from broader social concerns, and as a result uses an environmental justice perspective in its campaigning. A strong social perspective means FoE is well placed to develop alliances at the grassroots level with other organisations and communities.