
Issue No 61		07 July 2000

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News

MUA Helps Deliver Rice for Timor

By Zoe Reynolds

A joint effort involving the Maritime Union of Australia, the Rice Growers' Co-op, the Navy, Toll Logistics, a community aid group and a local MP, has resulted in a 40 tonne shipment of rice being loaded for East Timor.

MUA Assistant National Secretary Mick O'Leary approached the rice growers co-op earlier this year as part of the union's involvement in the Friends of East Timor, Newcastle appeal.

Mr Cameron Prowse, Business and Commodity Market Manager, Rice Grower's Co-operative Ltd, agreed to donate the grain to the East Timorese, Mr Steve Ford of Toll Transport offered free transportation to Newcastle and the local wharfies said they'd donate their labour in getting it onto a ship.

But the only ships servicing Dili by the time the rice was ready, were Navy vessels. So Newcastle MP Bryce Gaudry (ALP) arranged for the shipment to go with the HMAS Jervis Bay fast sealift catamaran out of Sydney.

"The union has been working closely with Friends of East Timor up in Newcastle ince day one," said Mick O'Leary.

"We've got together dozens of containers of donations and arranged to have them shipped over -- clothing, canned food, cutlery, pots and pans, sanitary pads, plastic buckets, pens and pencils, chairs and tables, tents, bedding, sewing machines, bicycles, a carton of beer, iron roofing, hardware, picks and shovels, a water filter, surgery buckets, hospital trolleys and beds, an electro cardiogram machine, a massage table -- you name it.

"Friends of East Timor have even come up with a Toyota van and a Commodore to help get the aid out to the mountains and more remote areas."

The estimated $30,000 rice donation come from the 2000 rice farmers in the Murrumbidgee irrigation area around Leeton and Coleambally, in South West NSW.

"It's a collaborative effort, involving everyone from the union, the farmers, the transport guys, the navy and community groups here and in Dili," said Co-Op spokesperson Cameron Prowse. "It's an interesting combination. "

The 40 tonnes of rice, some medical supplies and a second hand Holden Commodore were loaded onto the HMAS Jervis Bay in Woolloomooloo, Sydney, for Dili Timor, this morning.

Soccer balls for East Timorese kids

Meanwhile, former Socceroo captain Alex Tobin is in East Timor with over $3,000 worth of soccer balls which will be distributed amongst the children at soccer camps in Dili and Alieu on Monday 3 July and Tuesday 4 July.

Tobin's two day visit was organised by the Construction Forestry Mining & Energy Union (CFMEU) as a joint venture with Soccer Australia to help the youth of East Timor-soccer is the most popular sport there.

The soccer balls were purchased by the CFMEU for the kids through donation by union members many of whom are of Portuguese origin.

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  Issue 61 contents

Technology: Union Rep for Global Net Body
The godfather of unions and the Internet, Eric Lee, is seeking your support to give labour a voice on the net's governing body, ICANN.

Interview: Downloaded and Done Over
In the wake of the TV Networks' digital TV victory, Internet industry chief Peter Coroneus rues a missed opportunity for Australia.

Legal: The Global Millennium Project
The International Centre for Trade Union Rights (ICTUR) has developed a draft proposal for a comprehensive revision and modernisation of international labour standards for the new millenium.

Unions: Sandgropers Get Serious on Stress
The Australian Services Union in Western Australia in conjunction with the University of Western Australia, is surveying workers across the state's call centre industry.

Politics: New Work for a New Millennium
View in full the ALP's Draft Industrial Relations Policy to be taken to the National Conference at the end of the month.

Solidarity: Korean Hotel Workers Seek Global Help
Striking Korean hotel workers at the Swiss Grand Hotel and the Seoul Hilton are worried they could be the next targets of escalating riot police violence.

History: Vince's Parable of the Sundial
How a working man survived WWII and ASIO blacklists to save a sundial.

International: Room for Optimism from African Poll
The performance of pro-Deomcracy groups in the Zimbabwean elections has given supporters hope for better days.

Environment: Mexican Wave Goes Green
American politics has taken on a Green hue with the left leaning National Action Party and the Greens in Mexico picking up nearly 40% of the vote in the recent elections.

Satire: Aussies Celebrate Centenary by Leaving Country
Prime Minister John Howard has defended his government's decision not to involve Australia in the centenary federation celebrations.

Review: A Building Sings of Lives Lived in Music
Mysterious shadows flicker in the windows of the Parramatta Town Hall. Strains of trumpet and sarod float outside. It's all part of the urban Theatre Project's latest work, 'The Palais'.

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» The Future Starts Now for Youth Charter

» Volleyball Stadium Accident - Questions Remain

» Telstra - Making it Queasier for You

» MUA Helps Deliver Rice for Timor

» Reith Puts Boot into Health and Safety

» Biko Backer Tours Australia

» Unchain Your Mind at Melbourne Forum

» Union Stalwart Honoured