Published: 13 May 2020
On behalf of the Maritime Union of Australia National Secretary Paddy Crumlin made the following statement on the passing of Jack Mundey:
We extend our sympathy to Jack’s family, friends and comrades.
Jack was a person of great principle; an internationalist, peace activist, human rights defender including important leadership in women’s, indigenous, gay and lesbian and sovereign national rights. While he is best remembered for his activism around green urban spaces, heritage buildings and functional community orientated town planning and development Jack’s political, industrial and social contribution was far wider. Jack was one of the most articulate and committed activists in Australia against apartheid, the war in Vietnam and the political and human atrocities visited upon working communities world-wide.
Jack will also be remembered as one of the mobilising leadership for indigenous rights. Kevin Cook was part of the leadership of the BLF and Jack’s support was instrumental in Kevin’s and others work in progressing indigenous rights along with others in his leadership team like Joe Owens and Bob Pringle their industrial agenda was indistinguishable from their social and political agenda. Kevin went on to be the Secretary and key manager of Tranby Aboriginal College in Glebe which was part of the original education framework for indigenous men and women, many of whom were in turn key leaders in the fight for and consolidation of indigenous rights including land rights.
Jack Mundey’s social and political legacy is as visible today as his contribution to an understanding and commitment to community heritage and history. Jack never ceased to be involved in community and progressive actions and campaigns right up to his passing, he was an articulate and knowledgeable and respected advocate for trade union and labour rights and was as important to the development of Sydney socially and politically as much as any other individual. The difference was of course as Jack would have it - it wasn’t about the individual it was about individual rights in a truly democratic empathetic and accountable democratic collective.
Jack was always easy to find around the Rocks and the Sydney CBD, a man of the people and of the community his life was embedded in both, particularly in Sydney. His voice and actions will continue to echo down the generations to come inspiring people to fight for what they believe in with his message of inspiration that the things most worth having must be fought for with determination and courage.
Vale Jack Mundey, Communist and Life-Long Activist. Now at rest.
