E D I T O R I A L

The End
In vintage Workers Online fashion we have detected a minor, but telling, factual error in last week’s missive/suicide note. It’s not a seven year itch – this is, in fact, the end of an eight year project.

F E A T U R E S

Interview: The Terminator
Unions NSW secretary John Robertson looks back on the highs and lows of a year when the battle lines were drawn.

Industrial: Vive La Resistance
Jim Marr glances back through a year of news and discovers plenty of reason for optimism…

Unions: Breaking News
The web offered new ways of covering unions issues. Here’s ten ways Workers Online tried to do things differently.

History: Seven Deadly Sins
Looking back on our annual year-ender editorials gives a nice overview of the journey we have taken.

Economics: Back to the Future
Political economist Frank Stilwell looks back at a year that saw the passing of the drivers of two strains of economic thought.

Politics: Organising and Organisations
Organising for unionists can mean overcoming the “union”. The “rolling of the right” by the BLF rank and file shows the power of workers united to defeat the power of bosses and certain union bosses.

International: Web Retrospective
Unions and the web – What's changed in the last seven years? The short answer is – everything and nothing, wrties Eric Lee

Review: Shock Therapy
Unreconstructed Kazakhi journalist Borat is unleashed on the ‘US and A’ offending everyone – except the bigots.

N E W S

High Flyers Go For Gold

Hospital Staff Prescribe Radical Surgery

Holland Goes Dutch on Safety

New Thinking to Transport Sydney

Check Mate - Track Your Personal Info

WorkChoices on a Trolley

See No Evil, OEA

Feltex Carpets PM's Fibs

Workers Blood on the Walls

Lift For Unfair Dismissal Campaign

No Discrimination on Choice

Vanstone Opens New Meat Market

Activists' Notebook

C O L U M N S

The Future
So Where to Now?
Amanda Tattersall outlines her plans for Working NSW and the challenge of connecting research, communications and campaigning.

Obituary
Gone But Not Forgotten
Augusto Pinochet Ugarte (1915-2006). His memory is still being honoured, writes Jim Marr

Parliament
The Westie Wing
Our favourite politician bids adieu and hangs up his chestnuts.

L E T T E R S

WHAT YOU CAN DO

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Activists' Notebook

A Local Man

With Tony Barry as Ben Chifley

A play dedicated to Theo Barker (historian) and John Clayton (actor and strong unionist).

From train driver to Prime Minister, Ben Chifley has long been regarded as an icon of the Australian Labor Party and now noted author, essayist and playwright Bob Ellis is bringing his life to the stage.

A Local Man is the story of the last days of Ben Chifley's life and is set entirely inside Chifley's home at 10 Busby Street, Bathurst.

Written by Bob Ellis and Robin McLachlan, the script is more personal than political, although dividing the personal from the political in a life such as Chifley's is no easy task. The role of Chifley is being played by film, television and stage character actor Tony Barry.

The meticulous research of Ellis and McLachlan becomes apparent as Chifley (Tony Barry) speaks of the bitter frustration of being used as slave labour by his Grandpa on a property at Limekilns until the age of 14. However, it not until Chifley becomes politically active that his passion is really aroused.

The emotional depth of Barry's performance is astonishing, most notably when he talks of the bitter internal feuds of the Labor Party and when reminiscing on his marriage to Elizabeth.

If Labor Party propaganda is what the audience is hoping for, you will be sorely disappointed. Rather than propaganda, A Local Man offers rare and brilliant insight into the personal life of a war - time leader and a man passionately involved in the daily struggles of Australians.

In an age where government is increasingly sly in its dealings with the people, this is a refreshing story of a prime minister who often wrestled with his conscience, his emotions and his faith.

The next A Local Man performance will be held at the Trades Hall Auditorium, Sussex Street, Sydney, Monday 14th, Tuesday 15th, Wednesday 16th, Thursday 17th and Friday May 18th, 7.00pm. This play has a strong and affectionate monologue that is an effective portrait of the private man behind the iconic political figure. Tickets are $20.00 each or $15.00 for a group booking of ten or more for an ALP, FEC, SEC or community fundraiser.

For information about ticket sales, email [email protected] Food and refreshments on sale.

All proceeds to the Your Rights At Work Campaign

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Last Modified: 21 Dec 2006