Vale

Allyn Allport

Memories of Alwyn, Keith Leleu, the Lighthouse, Pommy John Ryder, Andy Finestone, Shipmate

Alwyn Allport was not a man to big-note himself, although he was beyond any doubt a man of dedication and professional competence, and respected by all during the course of his maritime career.

Alwyn was a modest man. His one proud boast was his long union membership. The Seamen's Union of Australia and his family were the two central pillars of his life, and when talking to me last year he was as uncompromising as ever in his description of the Union:

"The Seamen's Union was the only union I was ever in throughout my life. In my opinion, through the work they did, the Seamen's Union of Australia was known as one of the best unions throughout the world because of their attitude and the way they operated. The way they brought their members along with them. The way they consulted with their members, and the way that members were invited to plan the Union's policies and the course ahead.

"We became renowned as an international union and won many accolades. I still reckon today that the Union - it's now the MUA of course - is one of the best in the world in regards to fighting for conditions.

"We are up against it now - there's a big battle ahead - but I think we will eventually win."

It was just over a year ago when those words were spoken. Alwyn was "up against" a major adversary of his own at the time - leukaemia - and fighting the battle of his life.

Alan Oliver and I had been driven out to Alwyn's home by Pat Geraghty to record the story of his maritime career as part of the MUA's Oral History Project. It was a bright winter's day in North Ryde. Alwyn was ailing but as articulate and humorous as ever. The four of us sat there around the table in the sunlit kitchen while Alwyn regaled us with tales of seafaring, union battles, shonky ships with dodgy owners, and the colourful characters he had collided with in his steady course through a life packed with incident, politics and drama.

His stories of legendary personalities such as "Coconut Bill" - of whom many veteran seafarers will have memories -were the classic yarns of the born storyteller. And when he occasionally faltered, which was rare, Pat Geraghty was there with his own remarkable memory to complete the tale.

It was a coming together again of old comrades - Alan, Pat, Alwyn and his devoted wife Gloria - and a time for the telling and re-telling of times past. It was a morning that I personally will never forget.

Alwyn Noel Allport was born in Wyong on January 28, 1926, in the depths of the World Depression when people had to seek work wherever they could find it. Alwyn's family was no exception, moving between towns seeking employment. They were working at share farming when Alwyn left school at 14 to work on the railways at Coffs Harbour (this being a great story in itself).

Alwyn first went to sea two years later, at 16, doing a "pier head jump" on the freighter Mathew Flinders, which was berthed in Coffs Harbour at the time, and thus beginning his first introduction to trade unionism and a life-long relationship with the Seamen's Union of Australia.

Throughout World War II, Alwyn served in the Australian Merchant Navy, including running ammunition and troops to Milne Bay and New Guinea. Always a dangerous run - and a torrid time for a teenager - but Alwyn was never one to complain.

During this wartime period he became increasingly involved in union matters and after the war was prominent in the SUA support for the New Zealand waterside workers' in the 151-day lockout of 1951, which remains a beacon in the story of Australian-Kiwi union comradeship to this day.

From 1946 on he was delegate on every ship he joined until retirement; and was an official from 1953 to 1956. Until the end of his days he remained a union activist in every sense.

Alwyn was always in the thick of union battles. Besides the fight on behalf of the NZ wharfies, there was the struggle for Australian cargoes to be carried on Australian ships, which included the tanker campaign and the maritime epic of the Caltex Liverpool and its staunch crew of SUA diehards - Bill Bodenham's "Magnificent Seven" - including of course Alwyn Allport.

The loyalty he maintained to his union, friends and shipmates, was always an abiding characteristic. As Bill Langlois said in his eulogy: "My personal association with Al goes back over half a century so I knew him well and respected him and I know that he realised and subscribed to the concept that loyalty, understanding and friendship were the indivisible strengths of the working people. Al always considered himself a worker with no false pretensions or aspirations and I consider it a privilege to have sailed with him and been his friend."

It was a time when working people were fighting for a fair go, as we are again today. But these turbulent years also gave birth to the unique system of rolling funds aboard ships, the campaign for equality for merchant seamen in times of war, and the stand against the encroachment of the Colombus Line. Alwyn was involved in each and every campaign - a working class warrior to the end.

Alwyn Allport sailed out on his last voyage in April this year and is survived by his widow, Gloria, children Kerry, Vincent and Kathryn, grandchildren and great-grandchildren

Vale, Comrade

Bryn Griffiths

Life Member

Fremantle

ALLWYN ALLPORT: KEY ROLE

Allwyn Allport was a proud merchant seafarer and trade unionist for the whole of his working life. He was a union official in the union during the 50's, a long term progressive political activist. He was also an activist for recognition for full veteran entitlements for merchant seafarers who served during the war time, particularly the Second World War when one in eight merchant seafarers died, the highest mortality ratio in any of the services. Full recognition including medical was a campaign that took decades to realise.

He relieved in office as rank and filer for nearly 40 years after standing aside from office and was one of the most respected maritime workers and political activist on the Australian waterfront. He represented the union on a number of international delegations and was a respected internationalist in the labour and progressive political movement. He played a key role in the organisation of Australian waterfront and trade union support for the New Zealand wharfies' strike in the early fifties.

"A gentle man in the truest sense, but with a courage and determination for political, social and industrial justice that sustained his activities the whole of his life" said National Secretary Paddy Crumlin at his funeral. "His unionism and his sense of fairness stemmed directly from his love for, belief and commitment in his family and their needs".

Paddy Crumlin

MUA National Secretary

AL ALLPORT: FAREWELL OLD MATE

Alwyn Noel Allport (Al) was a genuine, decent, kind and courageous man, a father, father-in-law, grandfather and great-grandfather. His seven grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren were a constant source of joy to him and he loved his wife Gloria with a deep and abiding intensity.

My personal association with Al goes back over half a century so I knew him well and respected him and I know that he realised and subscribed to the concept that loyalty, understanding and friendship were the indivisible strengths of the working people. Al always considered himself a worker with no false pretensions or aspirations and I consider it a privilege to have sailed with him and been his friend.

Al was born in 1926, so I guess that makes him an OBE (over bloody 80).

Al was not a religious man, not in the accepted sense anyway, but his daily life was characterised by his thoughtfulness and respect for his fellow men and women with a fervent desire not to do hurt or harm to anyone, either by word or deed. He really put meaning into the words "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you". He also believed in the philosophy "I shall pass this way but once, and any good thing therefore that I can do or any kindness I can show let me do it now, let me not defer or neglect it for I shall not pass this way again".

He had a vast circle of friends and was tremendously loyal to them all and this gathering is evidence of that. Al first went to sea as a 16 year old boy, he did a pier head jump to the Matthew Flinders berthed in Coffs Harbour and he served the whole period of the war at sea including a stint in the US Army small ships, running ammunition, men and supplies to Milne Bay and New Guinea. Not the safest way to earn a quid. He was proud to be an honorary life member of the North Ryde RSL and also an honorary life member of the Maritime Union of Australia.

The last few months of Al's life were very painful but he bore this with no complaints. There was never a situation of 'why me' in Al's lexicon. He departed this mortal coil on the morning of Saturday April 8.

It is fundamental to life that love and grief are the strongest of human emotions and because this is so we can all understand the sorrow that is felt by Gloria and the family. That this sorrow is felt by all of us is most evident.

It is also a truism that a sorrow or burden shared is a sorrow or a burden lightened immeasurably. With that knowledge in mind it is also timely to remember that amongst all his other fine characteristics Alwyn was essentially a realistic man and he would not have wished those that remain to shed too many tears, for he would have understood that above all else life must go on.

You know it as a fact that words strung together are an action making the language we use to communicate our thoughts to each other. I have searched through my vocabulary, philosophical, emotional and nautical and found an inadequacy to really express an appreciation of Alwyn Allport the man, the husband, the father, the grandfather, the shipmate and friend.

He will certainly leave an indelible memory, and if sailors do have a special heaven, a world of starlit skies, fine ships, fresh breezes, good landfalls and selected dog-watch companions then to the very best of my knowledge and belief Al deserves to be right there at this moment for he was the Alpha and Omega of all things good and decent.

Farewell, old mate may you rest easy and sleep peacefully through the eternity of time. Shalom.

Bill Langlois

KEITH LELEU: LIGHTHOUSE

It is with great sadness that the SA Branch reports the passing of a great maritime industry identity Keith LeLeu.

Keith was a lighthouse to Australian seafarers who visited Port Adelaide and was a well known identity in Port Adelaide and the wider South Australian community. He was often the first person up the gangway when an Australian ship was in port delivering much anticipated newspapers to keep seafarers informed of the latest current affairs.

Keith was well known for his collection of shipping memorabilia, establishing his own maritime museum dedicated to the history of the Australian merchant fleet. He would often visit vessels in the hope of acquiring items of significance for his museum.

Above all else Keith LeLeu was an ardent and vocal supporter and defender of the need for an Australian merchant fleet, leading rallies and marches in his float and often being a lone protester flying the Australian Red Ensign when former Australian flagged vessels would come into Port Adelaide, vessels such as the former River Torrens now CSL Pacific and River Yarra now Stadacona.

He was also the resident doorkeeper at every monthly stop work meeting, a Life Member and a member of the MUA Veterans Association.

Keith passed away in June at 80 years of age.

Vale Comrade

Jamie Newlyn

MUA Branch Secretary

Adelaide

GEORGE BROWN: DIGGER, SEAFARER & SURVIVOR

It is my duty through the pages of the Journal to report the death of my father George Brown.

Born in Waratah, Tasmania in 1917, he joined the army of unemployed at the age of 16 "on the track", riding his bike around the country searching for work. Like his father before him, George was a miner. But with the onsest of WWII he went off to war to fight the Germans, serving in the Rats of Tobruk (2-24 battalion).

George lost an eye in 1942 and was repatriated. He also lost both his brothers Jack at Alamein and Trevor who the Japanese beheaded on Ambon Island.

There are so many stories I could tell of my father's colourful life. My favourite is in the one about his time in Darwin after leaving the army and before going to sea.

George was working on a civil project. He and a mate saved up their beer rations for a couple of weeks then went on a bender. The following morning they woke under a gum tree and decided to go back to camp for breakfast. When they got back the mess hut was gone. That was the night the Japs had bombed Darwin.

Unable to settle down, George decided to go to sea. This was at the height of the U-boat campaign. He served on many vessels, notably the Ceramic (the same vintage and yard as the Titanic) and the Queen Elizabeth.

Like so many disaffected diggers, George's post war politics leaned heavily to the far left. He was a member of the Communist Party and maintained a keen eye on politics all his life.

George retired in 1980. He served his union well. He is survived by his two sons still at sea, Trevor and Jim.

Sail on, George.

Trevor/Jim Brown

ANDY FINESTONE: GOOD SHIPMATE

Family and friends of Andy Finestone gathered at Bangalow Bowling club to say farewell. He was a good shipmate and a good seaman. He was a proud member of the Maritime Union of Australia and proud that his son Zac will carry on the tradition. Flintstone had an incredible life and his stories will live on for generations to come. He will be sadly missed and always remembered. If you knew Andy, give him a ring on the bell to say goodbye.

Martin Freeman

Union No: 6017553

JOHN RYDER: POMMY JOHN

A memorial service was held at "Budd's Beach Boatshed" in Surfers Paradise in April for John Ryder, who travelled the world as a seaman before settling on the Gold Coast.

On a perfect day, a gathering of friends, seafarers and family witnessed a service organised by John's wife Lorraine in a tranquil waterside location.

The eulogy was read by a family friend, Lesley, while the background music of Ferry Across the Mersey played.

Lesley said: "It's hard to truly capture the essence of a person because we are diverse and our realities differ. However, I hope these words do justice to a man we loved, admired and shared his company. Pommy John, the Pom, Scouse, Johnny Seaman, Liverpool, Lambs Fry and My Friend were all pseudonyms for our friend born John Ryder. I wish to share with you all here today a celebration of the life of our dear John. Let's all ponder a few memories of his life".

Born in Liverpool in June 1942, John was the fourth child of John and Katherine (Kitty). John is survived by his wife Lorraine, and his three sisters, Sally, Anne and Mary and his many nieces and nephews.

John went to sea around the age of 15. John lifted himself out of hardship with nous, guts and balls: He travelled the world as a seaman and had various jobs on lots of different ships, such as Guatemala, Orantes and Iron Duke to name a few. John was well respected among his colleagues and kept in touch with lots of different seafarers from around the world. Some of them are with us today."

John was a true Liverpudlian and a devoted Liverpool fan. He would set his alarm and watch Liverpool when they played at all hours of the night. John watched his beloved team at many a bar and sometimes in the comfort of his own living room. His wife Lorraine said John would be cremated in his beloved red Liverpool jersey.

John met Lorraine at the Railway Hotel in Wellington New Zealand. Lorraine was the publican's daughter. They wrote to each other, and Lorraine travelled to England to meet up with John. They moved to the Gold Coast in 1987 and lived in Robina. John and Lorraine were married for 25 years, although they lived apart. In John's heart Lorraine was still his wife.

John was known for his style - his dress sense was right out of the pages of European Vogue. When John went out on the town he dressed immaculately from his St Louis blues (shoes) to his Ralph Lauren polo shirts. His jewellery was very stylish from his diamond sovereign and gold rings to his beautiful watches. John was a true gentleman. Even though John had style, he was down to earth and had lots of different friends. John could converse with the best of them and the local bum.

John lived to the full and he loved getting out and about. When he retired, he kept himself active by doing odd jobs like painting and decorating. He enjoyed going down to the auctions to get a bargain, and also found enjoyment in cooking. He used to watch Lorraine cook and then he developed his own cooking style. Recently John used to enjoy the company of Mungo, Dave, Peter, Scalper and the other boys down at the boatshed. John was an original member of the 'dirty dozen'. They would go canoeing and kayaking up the Broadwater. He enjoyed walking and would walk down the boardwalk to Broadbeach or Main Beach.

Sadly after one of these walks, he passed away. It was a huge shock to us all. John the Pom will be sadly missed by Lorraine, his family in England, his friends from all over the world and those of us here today to share his memory.

With the eulogy complete came the release of red and white balloons across the river, as fish jumped clear. Three red roses were placed in the river by Lorraine and his mates Peter and Alby Barker to the sound of You'll Never Walk Alone in the background.

Alby Barker

MUA Life Member 745

PALLE LYNGAAE: THE GREAT DANE

Paul arrived in Australia in the early 1950s as a crew member of the Hans P Carl, one of two Danish ships brought onto the coast to help overcome a shortage of tonnage. At the end of the charter Paul elected to stay on in the country which he had come to like.

He joined the SUA and sailed on numerous ships out of various ports until settling and making Fremantle his home port. In the mid-nineties Paul took his package and enjoyed his retirement until in 2000 he suffered a stroke that necessitated his admission to an aged care facility.

To see that big strong man now bedridden and so incapacitated was a truly heart wrenching experience. In March this year a heart attack finally released Paul from the shackles that bound him to his bed.

Those who sailed with him will remember "The Great Dane" as a fine seaman and good shipmate. He is survived by Genevieve and son Leid.

Gone but not forgotten.

Fred Frese

Retired Seafarer

Union No: 1143