Vale

Frank Ryan & George Brownlie: Union greats

Two great unionists, Frank Darcy (Frankie) Ryan and George (Jock) Brownlie, retired Townsville Branch members, died within a few months of each other.

Both served in the armed forces in WWll and both joined the North Queensland Branch in the late 1940s.

They were both respected for their grassroots activity on the job in defending working conditions and taking part in the campaign for long service leave and pensions for veterans (superannuation).

On the job and in union meetings, they always put their views clearly and decisively. Both of them would tell people who held 'post-mortems', "Why didn't you say so at the meeting?"

Both of them suffered the pain, discomfort and disfigurement of one of the health problems of the Tropics. Townsville is known as the skin cancer capital of the world.

Jock was deeply involved in the branch's Sports and Recreation Club, helping to organise socials, concerts and participation in the May Day parades.

Having a large family of seven children, he was very involved in organising soccer in South Townsville and Railway Estate.

When the Townsville Women's Committee was formed, both members' wives were involved in its organisation and work.

It was fitting that both were given a valedictory by retired member Bill Timms.

Vale Frank Ryan and Jock Brownlie.

Townsville Branch

Vic Jorgenson: Viking

I got a call the other night to say a long time friend and shipmate Vic Jorgensen had died. In the past few years or so Vic and been affected by Alzheimer's which made it hard to talk when I phoned to say hello.

Vic was a Norwegian able seaman/bosun and I first sailed with him in December 1961 on the old Tamsau CSR. It was Vic's first ship on the Australian coast after leaving a Swedish tanker in Melbourne. He became an Australian citizen after he did his two years.

I had sailed on Norske ships early on, between 1947 and 1950 where I joined their union, Norske Sojman Forbund. I still have the book. It was my first of three seamen's unions.

The experience I gained taught me a lot about the Norwegians and other Scandinavian seafarers, which endures forever. We always respected their decency and seamanship.

However Vic is now dead and for his family and me it is a great loss, as it is for anyone who sailed with him.

He had a short illness and was 81 years old. His ashes are scattered around the waters where he lived in Tin Can Bay. A fine comrade.

Tex Boucher

MUA veteran

Jimmy 'Sailor' Young: Mentor

As a kid I came to meet a lot of my dad's mates when they would come over for a Sunday beer and a bit of a yarn. What a colourful pack of characters they all were. But there was one in particular who held my attention more than the rest and he was Jimmy "Sailor" young.

Sailor was a larger than life sort of fella who always had plenty of interesting seagoing stories to tell of his voyages past and present and always had something to give the kids when he came around. Jimmy never had a bad word to say about anyone, was generous to a fault and was always willing to help a friend out at the drop of a hat. As a result Sailor is now sadly missed by many.

Sailor was born in Bondi in December 1929, the son of Enid and Arthur Young and the third of four children. Never a nine to five type of bloke, Jimmy's seagoing career began when he joined his first ship in 1960 as a cook. It gave him the chance to travel the world and meet people. A staunch trade unionist, great conversationalist and debater, he loved a yarn with anyone about anything, was very knowledgeable and had views on a vast range of life's topics and current affairs.

The ships Jimmy spent most of his time on were the Rona Mathew Flinders, Australian explorer and Bass Trader.

He always said his favourite run was to Asia, namely Hong Kong, Singapore and Japan. For anyone who had the good fortune to have sailed with him, their lives (not to mention appetites) would no doubt have been better filled for the experience.

Jimmy took to cooking like a duck to water, and was a popular sight in the galley on any vessel he sailed on.

My path in life as a cook at sea was certainly decided while visiting his ship with my dad as a 14-year-old kid. I tried Jimmy's famous chicken curry and that was it for me. I said to my dad, "I want to be a cook on a ship like Mr Young. A few years later Jimmy went to great lengths to ensure I got the chance to do just that. That was his style throughout his life when it came to helping others out.

Jimmy met his wife Lorraine at Maroubra in 1967. They were married two years later at Pyrmont in Sydney and remained together devoted to each other for the rest of Jimmy's life.

They faced a great tragedy together when their only son Jamie died of a severe asthma attack at 18 years of age. While the loss of his only child no doubt affected Sailor deeply (he would mention Jamie in conversation for the rest of his days) it never dulled his tendency to help out others whenever he could.

When Jimmy retired in Colac, Victoria, after 30 years at sea in 1990, he was to spend the next 16 years living in and getting about town in a motorised scooter, as certainly one of the town's larger than life characters. It was another hurdle Jimmy overcame after retirement that would have slowed down, if not stopped the average Joe Blow in their twilight years. But not Sailor. After having a leg removed due to illness, Jimmy would be seen (and heard) most days riding from one end of town to the other chatting away to many of the locals, seeming to have a nick name for everyone he knew and very rarely if ever forgetting a face or a name.

Sailor dearly loved the local Aussie rules football club Imperials and shared a long involvement with the club throughout the years. While at sea he always donated a watch each year to the best and fairest player and was a well-known and popular figure around the place.

Jimmy passed away earlier this year in May, after an ongoing battle with his health, but till the day he went he was never any different from how anyone knew him throughout his life. Not a word of complaint. For anyone who knew him, they would have to agree that he would no doubt still be running around in the next life organising things and helping others as was always his way.

You'll be missed Sailor. Thank you for everything and smooth seas to you my old friend.

Paul Brown

Union No: 6662

Billy McCraw: True Unionist

Bill McCraw passed away in July. He was a true unionist and staunch supporter of the WWF and the MUA.

Billy commenced work on the Sydney waterfront in April 1964, becoming a member of gang 12 and later gang 503. He worked with numerous stevedoring companies until permanency in 1968 and a job with Port Jackson Stevedores. He finally finished his working life at Patrick Port Botany where he retired in 1989 becoming a life member of the union.

Billy held a job delegate's card for many years and was a job delegate who was respected and held in the highest esteem by his fellow members. Those who knew Bill will remember him as a sincere person who always had a smile on his face and loved his union.

He will also be remember for his outstanding golfing ability, winning numerous championships at his golf club Cumberland and being captain of his club for some 16 years.

Bill is survived by his wife Joan, daughters Sandy and Lee and his son Terry who also is a well-respected member of this union working at the Patrick Port Botany terminal.

Vale Billy, you will be missed, but never forgotten.

Glen Wood

Deputy Branch Secretary

Sydney

Union no: 1188

Alwyn Allport: Internationalist

It was with deep regret that we heard of the passing of comrade Alwyn Allport. Although some of us did not know Alwyn personally, we know of the effort he put into this industry during his life, helping make conditions better and safer for the seafarers of today, and also the work he along with other comrades put into making sure that the sacrifice merchant seamen made during both world wars was not forgotten.

Alwyn was always concerned for his fellow workmates and workers from all industries that were being exploited here and overseas. He was a true internationalist. There are many struggles Alwyn was involved in - Vickery Mine, Gunnedah, and Columbous picket line, and the ongoing campaign trying to get a fair deal for we're sure. Alwyn always was a very proud member of the SUA and MUA. He will be sadly missed. Our condolences to his family and friends.

Alec Lowe on behalf of the

MUA members

Pacific Triangle

Union No: 3824

Selfless Man

Alwyn, virtually always called Alan, was in the view of those who sailed with him, the most selfless man who ever held an SUA Union book.

He retired before the MUA was formed otherwise its book would have been held just as devotedly. The Union was everything and his dedication was not only lifelong, but in the intensity of his principles, of his practical application of morals and ethics was at times near overwhelming.

Altruism means sacrifice of self for the common good (Fred Hollows is a great example) and in today's greed stricken, unprincipled world it's all too often a withering, dying word. But Alan was a practising altruist in every cell of his body; it was as if his mind could not think otherwise.

When it came to the defence of the Union, its policies and principles, there was no allowance for levity. And his defence of the individual against injustice by state, employer or ship's Master was implacable; no leeway given.

He gained much practise in 'maritime justice' through the machinations of the eccentric Skipper of the Bulolo "Coconut Bill", who was more mad than bad. Alan sailed with him over a range of years and their industrial-legal conflicts would have near filled a semi-humorous telephone book. Alan could imitate his Cockney bellow wonderfully well and when old Bulolo crew and Al formed a drinking, reminiscing circle the laughter just flowed for hours. Pity it was never put into an unsinkable DVD.

Al was a great giver, forever giving away presents and articles of one form or another. Whatever was given to him for whatever reasons, was swiftly given to another. And the greatest gift he gave, both willingly and with pride was his accumulated knowledge and earthy, practical wisdom to all and any who had problems to overcome.

On the vessel Age on the miserable run to Port Headland to create its immense ore carrying railway system, he was awarded the title of MUM for having open ears, great patience, understanding, tolerance and good counsel whether the problem was shipboard, industrial, domestic, financial, physical and even physiological.

Whether it be major or minor MUM was always there to help, to bring calm, rational advice to offload the problems of a shipmate. It was so on his every ship.

Al was a very skilled diplomat and if it was industrial conflict, never played his ace first. His faith in, reason offered inspired reason in return, was not always successful but it was retained throughout his life.

But reason rejected by believed class superiority or bullyboy mentality brought any industrial ace he possessed to hit the table with a very loud thump.

Al was a young elected official in the fifties when industrial disputation, whether major or minor, was initially defended with a Stick Up; the crew would refuse to sail until a solution was reached.

It was a great tactic to employ (even if it drifted into anarchy on rare occasions) and Al and the SUA officials used it to great effect to defend or advance conditions that previous generations had fought for.

When SUA policy required more Labor Party port officials to take office to create political balance, Alan quietly stepped down from a job he truly loved in the manner of a true Altruist.

The industrial weapons workers had in the past have now shrunk into virtual near total impotence through the 'creeping fascism' of the Howard Government, which makes industrial action near totally illegal, with huge fines ready to send trade unions into financial oblivion. And equally fearful is the diminishing character of the Australian work force, which has become very docile and timid in its resistance to oppressive work laws.

Fear normally comes in three forms: physical which all understand, social through public humiliations and financial which as in eras like the Hungry Mile can bring absolute degradation in absolute losses of jobs, homes and possessions.

Perhaps when Howard's Work Choices bite in all three directions most Australian workers will regain political knowledge and spine.

I sailed with Al on the Rona, Caltex Liverpool and the DLB 1601 which began the era of deep sea gas pipe lying. The latter was a totally unique experience for all hands and again Al's leadership qualities proved invaluable.

Trade union safety policy ensured it was a 'dry' ship, but we connived with the Tenders to supply the small French portion of our crew with enough red wine for the 'hidden' festivities of Bastille Day. We sought the best of bottles but received the worst of flagons; all 'Chateau Whyalla' that kept the stokeholds of many an old coal burner 'on the blood'. It helped international friendship but the French were very wobbly legged, with head in hands for a few days. But it lifted Al's spirit skyward for he was a very compassionate man who got great reward from gestures of help and friendship, no matter their size or function. Again, his inner, inescapable altruism.

One humorous slip of his tolerance was after near 24 hours of tank cleaning off the coast on the Liverpool. After longneck sipping and political debate with Billy Langlois to chew away the early morning hours, Bill threw in, "The trouble with you Al is that you don't understand the working class"!

Al froze in the act of appointing the just opened bottle to his awaiting lips (we were all dry and tired) and gave an almost strangled, "WHAT'; before his thirst quencher went flying over the side to symbolise his outrage. Bill gave an equal roar and his icy KB went flying behind it.

I gaped in disbelief while still having a strangle hold on mine, and offered, "If you pair of Dubbos understood the working class you'd empty the bloody things before you throw them over the wall"!

It all ended up in humour and mateship for those were the Golden Years of life on the coast when comradeship, shipboard skills and union pride combined and meshed and life at sea was a great form of existence. Pat Geraghty and myself were the last of his shipmates to see him, when we arrived at his home just after he had the fall that started his unceasing fatal nosebleed.

We were rolling tissues to plug his nose until he looked like a famous scene from A Fish Called Wanda when Michael Palin had large chips stuck up his nose. Even then he had to be the unceasing GIVER offering us snacks and his really top home brew, and I'm pleased and proud I had a farewell drink of his stout in his company.

He was still giving cheek with humorous quips as he got in the ambulance and waved goodbye; he like us never realising it was his last trip.

I have wonderful memories of his home during many events, but especially of him being under verbal assault by a trifecta of wife and two daughters who he had foolishly taught to query and question (no dogmas allowed) all and everything. They were wonderful ding-dongs with his daughters invariably winning by deflecting all his criticisms with, "We are only reflections of YOU!"

Alwyn Allport was a truly remarkable, lovable human being almost of unique proportions. He is locked into the memories of all who sailed with him (most now on their last Set of Articles) and a great association of shore friends.

The last word on Alwyn should be given to Robbie Burns.

An honest man lies here at rest,

As e'er God with his image blest:

The friend of man, the friend of truth,

The friend of age, and guide of youth:

Few hearts like his - with virtue warm'd,

Few heads with knowledge so in formed:

If there's another world he lives in bliss:

If there is none he made the best of this.

Gloria Allport wishes to place on record her thanks to the large number of shore friends, shipmates and others who had an appreciation of the marvellous humanity and loyalty that so permeated, was so obvious in all the actions and duties of Alwyn's long life, who came to say a final farewell at his funeral.

So many were the faces from the past that the ageing memory bank could not attach names to, and many more were the innumerable close friends of the sea, the officials and staff of the union both in the branch and nationally, of old social and political comrades, of lifelong golf and bowling friends, and many, many mates from the North Ryde RSL, whom Gloria had little chance to meet individually and thank.

Alan Oliver

MUA veteran

Sydney

Sheila Ballantyne: Foot soldier

Strong unions produce strong leaders from the bottom up. One such foot soldier was MUA retired member Sheila Ballantyne who left us in June.

Sheila unobtrusively served us tirelessly and energetically with love and devotion never seeking acclaim or recognition.

On coach trips, she managed the buses' twists and turns selling raffle tickets and then, delivery prizes. On our meeting days, together with the other similarly industrious ladies on the committee, Sheila would be making her famously fat, well filled, sandwiches - the best in Sydney. They were followed by her excellent home made cake.

Sheila would organise events with her easy, pleasant manner, which was made known personally to myself when she cared for my wife on a harbour trip that I had to miss due to illness. She even called me up at home to make her report.

It grieved several of us retirees to miss Sheila's funeral. Far from this being our fault, something very wrong happened in communications. A newspaper muck up. I still shudder, like other members, even thinking about it.

Our last cherished memory of Sheila was when she was very ill, telling me what a lovely time she spent at her 80th birthday party. She truly sounded so very happy.

Our late union secretary EV Elliott reminded our rank and file of the importance of an active ladies committee back in the forties and fifties. Our present retired ladies committee personifies his remarks. And our esteemed Sheila Ballantyne made them real.

Vale Sheila, your friendly example will live on. Heartfelt condolences to husband Roy and all the family.

Yours sincerely

Paddy and Kay Berry

Retired member: 307