Here's to you, comrade

MUA National Secretary Paddy Crumlin & former Seamen’s Union Secretary Pat Geraghty with John Brennan and wife Elaine

Friends raise their glasses in a last toast to John Brennan, 50 years a seafarer and just on 40 years a union leader

When long time communist, community activist and retired national presiding officer of the Seamen's Union of Australia John Brennan found out he had a brain tumour and was up against it, his Newcastle comrades offered to stage a testimonial in his honour - as long as he was there. John agreed.

Long time friend and Secretary of the MUA Veterans' Association, Bill Bodenham, took on the job of getting everyone together along with branch secretary Jim Boyle and other activists in the branch. In June, 300 people gathered at the Panthers (Newcastle Workers' Club) with some flying in from Brisbane and Melbourne to pay tribute to a great mate.

"I contacted all the old comrades from the Hunter as well as a few notables such as former officials Jim Steele and Burt Nolan from Melbourne and both Paddy Crumlin and Pat Geraghty from Sydney," said Bill. "John and his wife Elaine were overjoyed. They said it was the best afternoon they'd had for years."

Speakers included MUA National Secretary Paddy Crumlin, former Seamen's Union Secretary Pat Geraghty and MUA Newcastle Branch Secretary Jim Boyle, along with special guests including retired federal minister, now chair of the International Commission on Shipping, Peter Morris.

"Comrade Brennan was not only Newcastle Branch Secretary of the Seamen's Union of Australia and presiding officer, he was a magnificent fighter for peace, socialism, community issues and values," said MUA National Secretary Paddy Crumlin.

Dick Ryan, unable to attend, wrote thanking John for his guidance and assistance during amalgamation between the seamen and the stewards unions in 1988.

John Brennan was a union official for 38 years but a seafarer first and last. After working as a deck boy at 14 and serving in the WWII merchant marine, he became the Seamen's Union of Australia Sydney assistant secretary in 1949 and Newcastle Branch Secretary in 1952, leaving office 38 years later in 1987 at 64 years of age to return to the sea for one more year before retiring.

"He was an icon of the trade union movement in the Hunter region," said Bill Bodenham. "John was very much revered. He was president of a militant waterfront group of unions and fought many public campaigns on behalf of the community. The locals used to say 'Who's this blow in from Sydney?' But he overcame that by his ability, personality, good work and good left wing politics. He did so much for the Hunter region community and also for the oncology unit at the local hospital."

John has served on the board of the Workers' Club for 30 odd years and club secretary Gary Kennedy not only agreed to help with the venue, but was proud to announce that the board of directors had determined to dedicate the main auditorium in his honour. It is hoped John is well enough to attend the ceremony in September when the plaque will be unveiled in his honour.