Obituaries
SYD SEARLE: TRUE CLASS BATTLER
It is my sad duty to inform the Older Blue Shirt Wharfies of the passing of our old comrade Syd Searle. Few members have done more for the Federation.
Syd, was born in 1911, aone of nine siblings. As a young lad he worked on his father's dairy farm, before joining the railways as a porter.
Being a good boxer, Syd then joined a Tent Touring Boxing Troupe, similar to the Jimmy Sharman's Troupe.
But kind and caring by nature, Syd could not see much future in beating his opponent unconscious. So in March 1956 he joined the Waterside Workers' Federation to do battle with the Menzies Government, who were in the process of deregistering the Federation.
As the returning officer, he and Gordon Horne (who was our representative on a Peace Mission to Poland) toured the outback telling farmers and workers why not to deregister the Federation. It was a very successful operation.
Brisbane had upward of 3000 members and a Bull Gang System. Of course, if you were not a bull or a brown nose, the average worker got what Paddy shot at.
Syd, along with Federal Councillor George Kellaway and Vince Webster recorded this inequality and won a Court case which saw the demise of the Bull System.
In March 1976 Syd left the industry and joined the Retired Members' Association, becoming the Secretary/Treasurer for 13 years.
He passed away on June 6, 2002.
At the Cremation service, his brother Len, said the eulogy with the assistance of a Celebrant. The Retired Members were present and gave a last good-bye to their well respected Comrade.
Our condolences to Syd's family
Charles Bell
Retired Member
RAPHE VAUGHN HARRIS: TRAGIC DEATH
To a comrade who departed us so suddenly and tragically. Again a stupid mistake has taken another great seafarer.
Mate, only the good die young... guess it was your time.
"Ready am I to go, and my eagerness with sails full set Awaits the wind.
Only another breath will I breathe in this still air, only Another loving look cast backward.
And then I shall stand among you, a seafarer among Seafarers.
And you, vast sea, sleeping mother,
Who alone are peace and freedom to the river and the Stream.
Only another winding will this stream make, only Another murmur in this glade;
And then I shall come to you; a boundless drop to a boundless ocean."
We miss you so much
Karen Wheatland
Union No: 6921
Allan Leavy
Union No: 2901
FRED KARLBERG: ADORED
It is with great sadness that I report the passing of Fredrich Georg Karl Karlber,g ex SUA member who, due to ill health, hung up his knife and spike in 1992.
A kindly big bear of a man who was adored by his family and friends, Fred worked on the Australian coast from 1976 until his retirement, serving on many ships, his last being the Island Gas.
Fred died peacefully at his home in Nowra on May 17 and it's his wife's wish that his old shipmates be informed of his demise through the journal. As a tribute, his 10-year old granddaughter Melanie Dillon-Smith wrote this poem:
OOPA
He was a seaman of great success
And said "you're pretty" when Nan wore a dress.
He told us about the war,
And everything he saw,
About jumping on a train,
Again and again.
He didn't want to see,
A World War Three.
He beat us at chess and other games,
Told us about his German names,
Never missed the German news.
When he was sick, he gave us clues
Oopa was much better than good
And loved his German food.
When things were down
He acted like a clown.
A joke or two
He would tell to you
The man of the sea
Loved my family and me.
A little message for nana
"Ich liebe dich fur immer."
David Faulkner
Iron Monarch
Union No: 1894
PHIL ALLEN: LIVERPOOL LAD
It is with deep sadness and regret I have to inform you of the passing away of retired member Phil James Allen (Cook).
Phil died of cancer in Liverpool Hospital, NSW on January 27.
He was born in 1938 in Liverpool UK, went away to sea at 16 years, shipping out mostly on passenger ships.
Phil moved to New Zealand and shipped out of Littleton, then moved to the Aussie Coast.
I first had the privilege of sailing with Phil on the ANL ship Flinders Range for many years. His last ship was North West Snipe.
Phil was a good union member always willing to help at any of the union functions.
When he left the sea, he went to Darwin working on a construction site which had no union. Twelve months later, he had the union up and running.
He was a great ship mate, a good friend.
I will miss your stories and great source of humour.
So goodbye old Comrade
Your friends,
George Murray
Union Number No: 6214
Terry Flood
Union No: 6234
ERNIE ROWLEY: CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD
After a relatively short illness Ernie Rowley, widely known retired MUA member on the Sydney waterfront, passed away peacefully on April 9. He was farewelled two days later by his wife Audrey (Shell), their families and friends at a well conducted funeral ceremony which would have met with his approval.
Colloquially dubbed "Chairman of the Board" by his retired Wednesday Bowling Club cronies/mates who gathered weekly to reflect on national and international matters of state, Ernie would usually do the summing up. He fancied quoting working class heroes and invariably they would be "Big" Jim Healy, Harry Bridges and at times Eddie Ward.
Also included were MUA leaders prominent during the Patrick lock-out. Ernie and others of us were present on those picket lines.
I never once heard him speak maliciously about his fellow worker. He preferred to save his venom for those corrupt politicians and leaders of industry who are forever with us.
His remarkable memory served him well, leading to his rattling off numerous waterfront nicknames and past humourous situations
Yes, Ernie dearly loved his city bowling club Wednesdays, usually being first present after calling in at the union rooms.
On his final visit Ernie was a very sick man indeed. But he never complained, endeavouring to join in the jokes, characteristically clapping his hands (albeit weakly) and very bravely appearing as normal as possible.
Vale Ernie Rowley, you were a man of your times - tolerant, friendly, attentive and above all else - very brave. Your presence will be sorely missed.
Paddy Berry
Life Member
EDDIE MCCUDDEN: LONG BATTLE
I would like to bring to members' attention the passing of Eddie McCudden.
Eddie was born in 1932 and passed away after a long battle with illness on March 22 in a Sydney Hospital.
Eddie hailed from the staunch Sydney waterfront suburb of Millers Point and sailed in the Merchant Navy for 41 years from the Macedon in the 1950's to the Australian Explorer for 16 years from 1976.
Our condolences go to his partner Pat.
Sean Chaffer
C-NSW Assistant Branch Secretary
FRANK TOOHEY: CARETAKER
The Sydney Branch received the sad news of the passing of Frank Toohey on Wednesday, June 5. He was 86 years old.
Frank was a retired waterside worker and member of the Waterside Workers Federation for 32 years before retiring and receiving life membership in 1977.
He then went on to work for the WWF as a caretaker in the union rooms after his retirement from the wharves.
Robert Coombs
Central NSW
Branch Secretary
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