Port of Call

Reports from Fremantle, Townsville & Melbourne

Kids Xmas 2003

FREMANTLE: The festive season was upon us once again. And for this writer, nothing gets my Christmas spirit going more than the kids' Christmas party down at the MUA's Point Peron holiday shacks at Rockingham.

The setting epitomises our Australian Christmas, outside the holiday shacks, on the lawns and around the barbecue area, members, officials and our fantastic office staff and their families gather to catch up with mates and enjoy the odd beer or two. And I, for one, enjoy some of the cross-cultural exchange between the sea and wharf sections of our union that only happen on these occasions.

The focus of the day though, is our future, the kids, and this year was no exception. The weather was typically great, and the kids enjoyed such attractions as face painting, fairy floss and a bouncy castle - not to forget a pristine beach that forms part of an 'A' class reserve, less than 50 metres away.

But nothing, and that's nothing overshadow's the main attraction, the arrival of Santa. I never tire of watching their reactions, the smaller ones gape in amazement, while the older ones know that it's present time. But some can't seem to decide -- is this really Santa? Any doubts disappear as he pulls the first gift from his sack. For the next 20 or so minutes we see a flurry of activity as presents are dispatched and hurriedly taken away to be unwrapped and explored. Then, with a severely present-depleted sack, Santa disappears into the west, and one of Santa's little helper's - aka Betty, arrives to distribute the post-present icecreams.

Thanks must be extended to Paul (aka Santa) and Betty, who throw themselves so wholeheartedly into maintaining the facilities and events at the camp, and Rosalie and the girls in the Fremantle office for their organising abilities. Christmas would not be the same without them -- Ted Jackson, Union No. 5002

Pulling Together

MELBOURNE: Officials from around the country gathered in the union rooms in August to raise money for the family of Jeff Gray, killed on the job. Jeff's children and family were there alongside delegates and friends from the job. Interstate guests included Central NSW Branch Secretary Robert Coombs, along with branch members Brad Dunn, Paul McAleer, Peter Coates and Trevor Grant. The Sydney Branch presented a cheque on behalf of the P&O Ports members in Sydney. WA Branch Secretary Chris Cain and Assistant Secretary Ian Bray also attended.

It was a very emotional gathering for everyone in attendance and Jeff Gray's family were overwhelmed by the generosity and presence of MUA members from all States, especially the generosity shown by the MUA members in Sydney.

"It was overwhelming and has set a benchmark for what MUA members can do in times of need," said Melbourne Branch Secretary Kevin Brackin. "It was a great achievement as a result of pulling together as one. Jeff's death highlights the need for safe work practices. If you feel uncomfortable about what you are doing STOP and think. If the job is not safe, contact the foreman or supervisor. If the problem is not resolved stop work according to the Safety Dispute Procedure in your EA. The Union will give you full support for any genuine safety dispute."

Boxing Championships

MELBOURNE: The MUA joined the CFMEU, FEDFA, Plumbers & Electricians to sponsor the state amateur boxing titles at the Reggio Calabria Club in Brunswick in August. Two of the boys fighting for titles on Sunday are trained at the Port Melbourne Boxing Gymnasium by Patrick's worker, Kevin Palmer.

Also in Melbourne, the branch raised $2000 at the Battle of the Bands fundraiser for East Timor in the union auditorium on Melbourne Cup eve. Safety company KP Deansalso chipped in donating 30 pairs of safety boots and overalls for East Timorese on the wharves.

"Some have no boots," said Kevin. "They've got nothing up there. So we organised the Battle of Bands to raise money for the workers and at the same time everyone had a ball."

The bands were "Die Scab, Die" from Webb Dock, "On the Knuckle" from Swanston Dock and "Drought" from Appleton dock.

Bracken insists all were of equally high talent and the contest ended a dead heat. But best costume went to Die scab, Die.

"The band is our own Cassa Brothers, Maltas answer to the Jackson 5," said Kevin.

Everyone present also passed a resolution of support for Mick Killick.

Banners & Badges

Wollongong: The South Coast Labour Council celebrated its 75th anniversary with song and celebration in September, alongside an exhibition of banners and badges. Celebrations began on the 14th with trade union choir's from Illawarra, Newcastle, Blue Mountains and Sydney performing alongside other artists singing songs of union struggle, peace and protest at Jamberoo Folk Festival.

'When Workers Unite', an exhibition of banners, posters and badges included MUA banners belonging to the old Seamen's and Waterside Workers unions at the Wollongong City Art Gallery.

Wharf Yarns

Townsville: Around 100 port workers shared their stories with the community at the first Townsville Yarns, "Townsville Presents Centenary City Celebrations" in November.

Sue Mackay, Townsville union rooms reports: Sandra Elliman, Australia's first female wharfie, recalled a time when she and a gang were working below decks clearing out the last remains of nickel ore.

"It was a bit of a rust bucket, so we weren't surprised when one of our picks accidentally pierced a hole in the ballast tank," says Sandy. "Water was trickling in and as the shift supervisor was climbing the ladder to report on deck, he felt a fellow trying to climb over him. The young seafarer thought the ship was sinking!".

Bill Timms, ex NQ Branch Secretary, led the old guard with his recollections of life on the waterfront from 1954 onwards. He brought in a general-purpose cargo hook and a sugar carrier bag that he lumped many a weight around.

"...'Rule number one, the man who turns his back on the hook is dead' was the first piece of advice you got when you started," says Bill "It was hard work with little platforms and hand trucks and rolling out drums. There were many tragic injuries so it paid to be alert. However, wharfies, or lumpers as we used to be called, wouldn't talk about the accidents and instead concentrated on the funnier aspects of life, like giving each other nicknames.

"Candlelight kid was a fairly slim fellow who after getting full of drink, could never help picking a fight with the biggest bloke in the pub. Sure enough, he would always get knocked out 'like a light'.

"There were many others, like 'Spotless Norm', who never got dirty and 'the Mirror' who always replied to any complaints, with 'I'll look into that'.

Eddie Porter spent 1939 to 1981 on the waterfront, a terrific achievement and he recalled for the crowd what clock off time could look like.

"There were a few horsedrawn vehicles but not many motor cars about and most people used a bicycle. Just imagine 700 pushbikes leaving the wharf at the end of a shift going every which way."