OBITUARIES

JOHN HAWKINS: THE OYSTER

It was with great sadness that I learnt of the passing of one of my old mates of 50 odd years. I refer to the late Terrence Clarence Byrnes a.k.a. John Hawkins a.k.a. The Oyster "Legend".

I have strong memories of Oyster at school and as a young man growing up in carefree Balmain.

Now the Oyster had a disability. He wore glasses thick as the bottom of milk bottles and how far he could see with or without glasses is anybody's guess. My guess is not very far. But this never daunted his spirit or enthusiasm and he took part in all of our activities, as young Buckos running around Balmain. We swam in the "Swifty" -- the hot water being pumped out of White Bay Power Station after it had cooled the generators. We would go on board ships and dive off the stern into White Bay. We played football, rode bikes (Oyster later graduated to motor bikes and outfits). We would construct canoes out of corrugated iron caulked with pitch and paddle all over Sydney Harbour. And of a night we would all go to the Balmain Police Boys Club. Activities were gymnastics, music, ping-pong, woodwork, wrestling, boxing and many more.

Oyster's favourite was boxing. He fought in many interclub tournaments. The Oyster's strategy was pretty simple, with no glasses he would stretch out his left arm until he felt his opponent, then throw an almighty right-handed haymaker. Now you can't win many fights this way. But I always felt sorry for the blokes Oyster was fighting because they could knock him down but he would always get up. No matter if you sent him to the canvas 20 times you could still bet your life he was getting up. So it would be hollow victory for his opponent because the crowd were always on the Oyster's side. He was as game as Ned Kelly and all of his gang put together. I always thought the Oyster would not have been out of place on the Australian Coat of Arms like the Emu and Kangaroo. Oyster could not take a backward step.

The Oyster never had many ships on the coast although he shipped out for 40 plus years on the Mundoora, Orminton and ERA, to name a few.

Oyster was such a likeable bloke he endeared himself to everyone he met. And there would not be anyone who spent any time with him that would not have a humorous story about him.

I wish to express my deepest sympathy to his wife and family.

Now I don't know which way he went, North or South. No matter. He will quickly have the joint in an uproar. And if it's the way I think, he will have plenty of mates -- Bisso, Archie, Scott, Brownie, Chummy, Dangerous Darryl, Barney Collins, Johnny Wheatley Wilson to name a few.

One of the things Oyster was famous for was his fracturing of the English language. He could pepper a sentence with more dens, dares and dats than any man ever. So I will fracture a stanza of a poem with apologies to Banjo Patterson.

Dedicated to the son of "Jimmy the Oyster Man"

"The night to quickly pass

And we are growing old

So let us charge our glasses

And toast the days of old

When you and I were mates

Yes Terry, when you and I were mates

All through those roaring days."

Farewell old mate

I loved you like a brother.

Bob Johnson, Life Member

Devonport

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LEW HILLIER: WATERFRONT LEGEND

It is with great sadness that I write to inform the membership of the passing of a great man, a legend on the waterfront, and a true and committed trade unionist. Lew Hillier (1920- 2001)was not only a union official and national councillor with the WWF, he was much more. His beliefs and total commitment to the working class is something that cannot and will not be forgotten. From the turnout at his funeral and the many obituaries from friends and comrades, all paying tribute to this man, is something that I will never forget.

I first met Lew through Ted Bull (Branch Secretary WWF). Looking back now (but little did I know at the time) I was certainly being drilled in a six hour meeting with the two of them at Lew's home. I suppose after passing that test, our friendship grew to such an extent that Lew Hillier turned up here in Fremantle to be a guest speaker in the lead up to the MUA national elections. It showed how committed he was to rank & file trade unionism.

Yes, Lew was a Communist, and yes he wrote articles on many occasions for his beloved paper The Vanguard. He was a knock about bloke and liked by all that had the privilege to know him. From the Ships Painters & Dockers, to every aspect of trade unionism Lew Hillier played a major part.

What comes with a great man is a great woman and Lew also had that in his wife Valda, who, I might add, also played a major role in what Lew did. For 50 odd years they were happily married, and god bless you Valda, I'm sure you went through some very hard times.

There are many stories that people better than myself could relate back to you all about Lew Hillier, but for me, I will always remember what he told me regarding trade unionism -- "Stay close to the rank & file, that is your lifeline, that is the Union".

Wherever you are Lew, I'm sure you'll be having a quiet beer or two with your old mate Ted. And mate, you deserve much more.

Thank you Lew Hillier for your commitment, friendship and dedication to the union movement and the working class, which was your life.

TOUCH ONE TOUCH US ALL.

Chris Cain

MUA Delegate Book 1867

Ray Skeggs

Ex Ships Painters & Dockers Delegate

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HENRY MORSCHEL: TRUE BELIEVER

It is my unhappy task to report the death of one of our retired members Henry (Harry) George Morschel of Gorokan on the Central Coast of NSW. He died in Gosford Hospital in November.

Harry came to our union as a boy of 14 in 1936. He survived the Great Depression and World War II to witness the uplifting of the Seamen's Union under the late EV Elliot and Pat Geraghty from a small industrial union to one of the most significant platforms for working class conditions in Australia.

He lived through the period of open fo'c'sles and lousy living and working conditions which are so clearly shown in the art work of Roy Delgarno, conditions which, through the work of many dedicated unionists, have now gone forever.

When in 1942 the Japanese attacked the city of Darwin, Harry witnessed it from the decks of a ship in the harbour. He thereafter totally rejected war as a means of arranging men's affairs.

Harry Morschel was a Communist, a great and dedicated member of his union, a fine professional seaman, a true believer and an icon of the Australian working class. Such men are the backbone of our union and the hope of our nation!

Harry spent many years on the Empress of Australia and on to the Amanda Miller from which he took his retirement in 1987.

It is my honour to have been a friend of Harry's for much of my life. He was my teacher, shipmate and inspiration. His like will come no more!

I commend his memory to you all!

Marty Douglas

Life Member

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NORM FRY: BITTER STRUGGLE

The death of former Seamen's Union member, Norm Fry, saw perhaps one of the last participants of the bitter 1935 Seamen's Strike.

Norm was approaching his 91st birthday in August when he died. And along life's long road he had more than his share of personal tragedies having lost his father in one of those dreadful battles in France in WW1.

After experiencing the depression years and the above mentioned strike, the outbreak of WWII saw him in the Royal Australian Navy for some time. But that was not his cup of tea, so he returned to the Australian coastal scene where he served on "60 milers", tankers and latterly tugs until 70 years of age.

Apart from his union activity he was a prominent member of the Double Bay branch of the ALP alongside Premier Wran and the late senators McClelland and Murphy. Consequently, Norm was able to broker some assistance for many of our members who required help in immigration, housing and welfare.

With the death of his wife Myra, some 15 years ago, he moved into the Mariners' Court at The 'Loo for about 3-4 years but became unsettled and moved into various institutions before finally sharing a flat at Paddo.

Padre Tom Hill performed a funeral service and eulogy at the Flying Angel in Sussex Street. This was followed by a brief service carried out by a fraternal organisation which a few of us present belong to.

Despite the fact that no funeral notices were in the daily press, a fair number of retired members attended the service and it was good to see former federal secretary Pat Geraghty present.

So ended a long life which was full of highs and lows but may he rest in peace. Vale Norm.

J. Auld

Life Member No. 0460

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ROBERT 'BRONCO' WHYTE: BALMAIN BOY

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Bronco who succumbed to a massive heart attack on November 20. Bronco battled debilitating Parkinsons disease for 17 years. It impacted enormously on him physically, but his passion for his family, the union, rugby league (the Entrance Tiers) never diminished.

A larrikin and Balmain boy, Bronco had an enormous amount of respect in the maritime industry. He was a relieving official and a life member of the union. His commitment to working class politics never faltered. He always wanted to help people.

Our condolences to all his family, in particular wife Kaye, who stood solid for years while Bronco battled his illness.

Sean Chaffer

Assistant Central NSW Branch Secretary

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IMPORTANT NOTICE

A file containing some letters & obituaries sent by email or held over from last MWJ has been lost. Members are asked to resubmit them before February for publication in the next issue. We apologise for the loss and inconvenience.

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