Obituaries
Norm Trembath: 'Have a Chat'
Those of us who knew Norm, sailed with him or just listened to him will remember
him for his sincerity and unquestionable devotion to the trade union movement.
Norm was a seaman all his working life. He went away as a deck-boy in the mid-40's
and spent the next 45 years in the industry. He was one of the few of us who
served in all departments, on deck then changing over to the engine-room first
as a trimmer, fireman and his last job, below, was pumpman in the P.J. Adams
before finally serving as crew attendant. I was his shipmate on three occasions
and enjoyed his company. Norm was always good for a chat which would last through
smoko and continue through the lunch hour. I am sure many of his union comrades
could testify to his stop-work meeting contributions during general business
which would draw comments from the floor like "Come on Norm, it's pub time".
He would not be deterred and would continue on regardless and if he accompanied
you to the pub, you would cop it again. I would like to quote from a letter
sent by Della Elliott to Norm's step-daughter: "Norm was not only an efficient
crew member in all work covered by the union, he was a staunch trade unionist
and champion of the working class. He carried out union policy to better seafarer's
working conditions and when ashore he participated in the broader struggles
to improve living standards of all workers, nationally and internationally and
in campaigns for peace and an end to all forms of discrimination." Norm was
an avid reader and right until his passing, he kept abreast of national and
international affairs. He was a fund of information aided by an excellent memory.
Norm spent all of his retirement years in Tin Can Bay, north of Brisbane where
he became somewhat a legend. Visiting the pub each day, sometimes on a number
of occasions, I guess he wouldn't have chosen a better way to go, having a beer
with his mates, a beer in one hand and a smoke in the other. He died at the
bar of a massive heart attack. His funeral was held in Gympie, the closest town
to his happy hunting ground. Unfortunately Gympie is a three hour drive from
Brisbane and the cyclonic conditions made it a shocking day. There were only
three former shipmates in attendance, including myself. I related our seafaring
memories. There may have been a lack of old shipmates but the crowd from Tin
Can Bay certainly turned up to bid him farewell. You played your part well,
old mate.
Peter Rowland Retired Seafarer
Ronald McGinley: Good Mate Lost
This is to report the sad passing of Ronald (Little Brown Dog) McGinley in
January at the age of 58. The Portland was his last ship, which he paid off
late last year. He had been feeling poorly for a while, so while on leave between
jobs decided to have some medical checks. He was diagnosed with cancer and lasted
less than eight weeks. Ron came from Scotland at age 19 and joined his brother
Tom, who sponsored him, where he fished in Bass Strait. He then decided to have
a look around Australia before finally lobbing in WA where he worked around
the country or anywhere else he could. He joined the union in 1977 and served
in P. Boats, tugs, tenders, and cargo ships. The Auro Australis being his longest
job for about 13 years. He was a good shipmate and unionist and was held in
good stead by all who knew him -- a loner in many ways, but with a lot of friends.
He will be missed by many. Sail on Ron. A good mate lost.
Retired member John Coonan Union No: 1505
Lloyd Pickering: Money for Jam
One month after Lloyd died his chair in the mess room at Patrick, Port Botany,
is still left empty as a sign of respect for one of our most popular workmates.
Lloyd was known to everyone here as Picko, a man of many sayings, always good
for a laugh and a story. "Money for jam this job, like taking candy from a baby"
was one of his favourite greetings. Picko was a great one for giving everyone
a good nickname including some of the work teams -eg Super League, the Falcons.
He worked on the waterfront for more than three decades from February 1970 until
his untimely death at age 55 in March. Over the years he did a lot to get the
new members and the old members together. He'd always sit with the young blokes
and tell them stories of the old days and all the antics over the years. The
young people loved him. He died doing what he loved best, dancing at the club
with wife Rhonda. He is sadly missed by everyone here at Patrick.
Les Midson Delegate Patrick, Port Botany
John Gordon: Esteemed Member
Deepest sympathy to the Scrimgeour family at this sad time with the passing
of our esteemed life member, our thoughts are with you all.
Chris Cain, WA Branch Secretary On behalf of MUA officials, staff & members
John Cox: Millers Point Man
John Cox (STL, White Bay and CTAL, Port Botany) passed away on April 20, aged
65 years, after a short illness. Formerly of Millers Point and late of Lemon
Tree Passage on the Central Coast, John was an MUA member for 35 years having
followed his father, Jack Cox onto the waterfront. They started a long family
association with the MUA as brothers Graham, deceased (Patricks), Kevin (Coal
and Allied), Jack (CTAL Botany) and I also worked on the waterfront, as does
John's nephew Jack (CTAL, Botany). John is survived by Robyne, his wife of 35
years, sons Stevena nd Robert, daughters in law Deborah and Sarah and grandchildren
Jacinta and Adam.
Warren Cox Port Botany, P&O
James Cooper: Happy life
Jim was born in England in 1926 and died here in Port Kembla in February aged
77. He went to sea at a young age in the UK, then Australia, where he settled
in Warilla, NSW in 1958, married and had three children- David, John and Lyn
and seven grandchildren. After his first wife passed away he met Marie and lived
in the South Coast town of Cootamundra where he enjoyed life, dancing, fishing
and good times. But after four years on the South Coast their house burnt down
and Jim and Marie moved back to Lake Illawarra, where they enjoyed a happy life,
with never a dull moment.
Mark Armstrong Secretary Southern NSW Branch
John Burgess: Died Young
John went to sea at 16, where he remained for all bar two years until his death
last year aged 42. He sailed on many ships -- too many to list. His last ship
was the Stolt. The photo was taken at Pine Gap Central Australia. John's mother
and family offer their sincere thanks to all John's friends and shipmates for
their flowers, phone calls, cards, monetary help and kind thoughts. A special
thanks to John, Mick, Mark, Markie, Tom and Wayne. Your caring helped ease the
pain. Many, many thanks to all.
The Burgess Family.
Johnny Syrett: Punter
Those who knew Johnny would know how impossible it is to put in words a man
who was so fair dinkum to his family, friends and comrades. Johnny Syrett spent
most of his life at sea,a happy go lucky bloke with a love for poetry, the lottery,
a punt and a drink or three. 'Natures gentleman' best describes him. Johnny
will be sadly missed by Libby & Ruth and his sea family. He was a sea Dad to
many on the Zincmaster his last ship. You will not be forgotten, Johnny.
John Formosa Union No 2010
Herbert (Mack) McVicar
& Henry Docking
The Sydney Branch has been notified that life members Herbert McVicar (known
as "Mack"), and Henry Docking (known as Harry) passed away recently. Harry was
a seafarer, a wharfie and a delegate in Sydney.
Robert Coombs Secretary Sydney Branch
Mervyn Sykes & Mick Williams: Wira
Wharfies
Mervyn, a member of the MUA for over 40 years, passed away in January. He finished
up at Webb Dock in 1991 after taking the WIRA redundancy. Brian (Mick) Williams
- passed away in February. Mick was a member of the MUA for 30 years, finishing
his employment at East Swanson Dock under Wira the same year. Officials, members
and staff of the Victorian Branch pass on our deepest sympathies to the families
and friends in their time of mourning.
Kevin Bracken Secretary Victoria Branch
Edith Morgan: Patrick Picket Stalwart
It was Edith Morgan (sunglasses) who threw herself in front of the trains defending
the MUA during the Patrick lockout in Melbourne in 1998. Edith and her long-time
friend Molly Hadfield heard reports of the dispute on the media throughout the
night. At dawn they made their way to Trades Hall, hitched a ride with a unionist
to the front line and joined the picket preventing a goods train trying to shift
black cargo from the docks occupied by Patrick scab labour. The stand-off gained
wide coverage. The train driver walked off the job and the two grandmothers
emerged triumphant, arms raised. She wore sunglasses because she had been blind
since her seventies. Edith died at the Lumeah Hostel in Preston in May. Around
600 people attended the wake and service held at the Collingwood Town Hall.
An Essendon grocer's daughter, Edith learnt about social justice watching her
dad giving away boxes of vegetables during the Depression. She became a member
of the Communist Party before joining the Labor Party. In 1972 she missed out
on preselection for the seat of Casey by just one vote. Morgan was awarded an
Order of Australia Medal and was once Senior Citizen of the Year. Besides being
the mother of four children, grandmother and great grandmother Edith was also
Collingwood's first social worker, helped establish the Collingwood Children's
Farm and the North Yarra Community Health Centre, the Share Care foster care
program, the Fitzroy-Collingwood Rental Housing Co-operative, the Older Persons
Action Centre and Housing for the Aged Action Group. As well Edith served on
the Guardianship Board, the Social Security Appeals Tribunal and as president
of the Pensioners and Superannuants Federation. She was also active in the Union
of Australian Women. Her last public appearance was at the Australian Catholic
University, where the new chair of aged care was named after her.
Mark Gregory Singer and Song Writer With These Arms
Joan Harrison: Working Class Woman
A great lady has departed the working class ranks. Wife of well known Ray Harrison,
Joan, 81, passed away at her Lurnea home in January. She leaves behind a legacy
of self sacrifice, love, tolerance and militancy for social justice and women's
rights. Joan had a women's refuge centre - The Joan Harrison Support Services
for Women - named in her honour in the western Sydney suburb of Liverpool. Earlier
in her life this outstanding lady faced unbelievable hardship. She contracted
polio when her youngest child was just a one-month old baby. But her loving
husband Ray was always there to support. His devotion was absolute. I first
met Joan when Ray introduced us at our Christmas party at Riverwood some years
ago. She was in her wheelchair. She looked at us both and it seemed to us her
face lit up. Love and compassion were written on her smiling face. Joan served
in WWII as a driver and nurse and that was how she met Ray. A nurse choosing
her mate from the multitudes had to be meant to last, for in later life they
were working class peas-in-a-pod devoted to social justice. Joan was an active
member of the Union of Australian Women and the Communist Party. So the "Lass
from Tenterfield" where she was born and brought up, not so far from Peter Allen's
shop, was the "True Blue" I bow to. She was a member of our Retired Members'
Association, besides her numerous causes. With five children and her incapacity,
she never faulted in her beliefs, her trust in the working class and her enduring
love for all. Farewell Joan Harrison, we'll forever remember your smiling face.
Paddy Berry, MUA Life Member
Ray Sullivan: Good Unionist
Ray, a good unionist, conscientious worker and great shipmate, passed away
in November aged 71 years. He loved a drink and a bet. Generosity was his middle
name. He believed money was made round to go around. Besides his racing, Ray
had a vast knowledge of boxing and was a keen rugby league fan. Over the years
and in retirement, he assisted with the catering at many "old timers" Christmas
parties and other functions. He catered within the union and was a regular at
Port Botany during the Patrick lockout. Although his last ship was the Kelvin,
Ray considered himself a candidate for "Mayor of Port Hedland" as he had many
trips there in many "Iron Boats". He leaves wife Joan, daughters Maureen, Leonie
and Jo-Ann, four grandchildren and a great grandson. Rest in peace mate.
George Robotham Retired Member
John Ainslie: Sea mate
The Ainslie and Russell families would like to thank the MUA for the funeral
service of my late husband John James Ainslie in November. A special thank you
to Robert Coombs, Rodney Russell, Robert Whyte, Peter Russell, Lew Cleaver,
Daryl Granger from the Jetty Jets, and Sean Chaffer for the lovely words during
the service which meant so much to my family and I. He was a man with many friends
and thank you to all his comrades who attended, that came from near and far
to farewell their old sea mate. Thank you also to Ina Heidtman who helped to
make this all possible, to fulfil his last wishes to have his beloved union,
sea mates and friends send him off.
Judy Ainslie
Hedley Cruise: Big Man
Better known as Tiny, Hedley Cruise crossed the bar on New Years' Eve in Devonport.
Tiny mainly shipped out of Melbourne. I was with him on the Triaster and Noongah.
He was a big man, hence the nickname. Tiny was well known on the coast for many
years. Vale mate.
Lou Guihenneuc Life Member
Doug Gregory: Sydney Ferries
Sydney ferry deckhand and former Firemen's and Deckhand's union delegate Doug
Gregory sadly passed away on April 18. A hard worker and staunch unionist Doug
will be missed but not forgotten by all his mates at the Ferries. Farewell Doug.
RIP.
Jimmy Scurry Union No: 7654
Len Westburg: Loyal Unionist
After a long illness which was the consequence of a severe stroke, Lennart
Westburg cashed in his chips. Born in Gothenburg, Sweden's major seaport, he
was aged 78 when he died last November. Known as Lennie, he spent a lifetime
seafaring, joining the union in the forties and becoming a life member. He sailed
in Swedish ships before that. Lennie was a skilled, hard working seaman and
a loyal unionist -- popular, dependable and a friend to all -- a peaceful man
who could readily defend himself adequately against bullies. During his long
uncomplaining nursing home incarceration, one of his regular visitors was Arthur
Bailey who attended to Lennie's simple needs. Thus, Arthur grew to understand
Lennie's real qualities - his truthfulness, staunchness and humility. By coincidence,
Arthur was still with him when he "shipped out", as was Karl Anderson who attended
to Lennie's affairs. I sailed with Lennie in the 50's to the 60's and found
him to possess all the outstanding seafaring qualities plus a unique sense of
humour, both uncomplicated and never cruel. He made you laugh, a character once
encountered never forgotten. Vale Svenska Lennie, we shrinking few remaining
on deck bound for the realms of history, wish you fair weather sailing with
shipmates of yesteryears, on Fiddler's Green! He leaves two sisters in Sweden
to whom we send our condolences and the communication that there was a fitting
international group of seamen present to bid you farewell mate.
Patrick Berry MUA Life Member
Allan Hyland
Allan was a Life Member of the union who had worked as a clerk at South Wharf
Terminals until his retirement in September 1991. He passed away in May. The
Officials, members and staff of the Victorian Branch pass on our deepest sympathies
to his family and friends in their time of mourning.
Kevin Bracken Branch Secretary Victoria
Back To Top
|
