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  Issue No 91 Official Organ of LaborNet 06 April 2001  

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History

Vale Tony Mulvihill

By Jim Walshe - former ARU branch secretary

The environment, migrant workers and the hairy nosed wombat have reason to be thankful for the active citizenship of Tony Mulvihill.

 
 

Tony Mulvihill

Former ALP Senator and Australian Railways Union life member Tony Mulvihill passed away on 12th December 2000.

Tony started on the railways in the 1930s, as a labourer, and worked up to a crane driver. He was soon to hold a number of positions with the ARU. From his earliest days he was revered as a people person, always looking at t6he worth of the individual, and he never lost the capacity to help other people out.

He also joined the ALP in the 1930s and was to become president of the Concord branch for many years prior to becoming assistant general secretary of the NSW branch in 1957. He became a Senator in 1967 and retired from full time politics in 1983. His role as assistant general secretary was crucial in maintaining stability in the NSW ALP as the party disintegrated elsewhere.

The 1950s and 1960s were also times of great changes in Australian society with post war development, large scale immigration and the long boom, and new social movements developed in response to new concerns with the environment especially.

Sydney, in particular, changed dramatically as developers set out to change the face of the city and suburbs. At Chullora Workshops Tony was an active member of the ARU and was one of the first to campaign for improvements to the deplorable living conditions suffered by new Australians in migrant hostels associated with the railway department in the immediate post war period.

From his earliest days at Chullora, he took a deep interest in the welfare of recent immigrants. His selfless nature helped greatly with the successful integration these new arrivals made into the railway and Australian culture.

He made many friends with various ethnic groups and took an active interest in the problems of refugees. He continued to assist migrants in his role with the ALP and as a Federal Senator. He continued this role throughout his life.

Through his active involvement with various ethnic communities he developed close friendships with leaders of many Eastern European countries. During his stint in Federal Parliament, Tony was at one time chairman of the Commonwealth Immigration Advisory Council and played a major role in developing public policy in that field.

Another interest that Tony championed passionately all his life was the Australian environment. One contemporary was to remark in later years that Tony was an environmentalist when most people couldn't spell the word.

In the early 1950s he began advocating for the introduction of a law to be passed to establish a "green belt" around Sydney. The intention of this new law was to stop the encroachment by the "well heeled" on to the beaches, parks and waterways to ensure ordinary people and their families would have access to these wonderful resources.

Because of Tony's efforts, a number of important changes were made to legislation. He paved the way for people like Jack Mundey and many others who were to take up the cause as generated by Tony's original efforts.

He was among the first to sound warning bells on the environmental damage to Kakadu by uncontrolled seepage of waste into the river systems. His untiring work on this issue over many years led to a plaque being erected at Kakadu commending his efforts.

Tony was the Australian Parliamentary delegate to the 3rd and 4th International Parliamentary Conferences on the environment held in Nairobi (1974) and Kingston (1976).

One of his last major campaigns was to obtain recognition for all those who participated in the construction of the Snowy Hydro Electricity Scheme. Over many years he campaigned on this issue amongst members of all parties in both State and Federal governments.

Finally in 1999 a monument was unveiled at Talbingo power station near Tumut, celebrating the 50th anniversary of the completion of the scheme. A reunion of the workers was held at this time and Tony was very proud that his efforts had helped gain recognition of the astounding efforts of all those involved in this wonderful achievement.

In her eulogy at Tony's funeral, Marion Grace, his electoral secretary for the whole time he was in parliament, reminded those present of his successful campaigns in saving the Cape Barren geese, the hairy nosed wombat and the dingo. H was also a leading light in the campaign to clean up the Parramatta River.

Tony never forgot his railway friends, proudly marching with the ARU on Labour Day or playing golf as part of the ARU team at the Labour Day Golf event. He was also to play a vital role in the establishment of the Sussex Inlet Holiday Park in 1983/84.

The union facility was in danger of reverting back to the government because of difficulties with Federal public servants. They advised the Coalition Minister against allowing the union to lease the site for the use of its members on reasonable conditions and affordable terms.

Tony joined the union delegation and his lobbying skills were seen to great advantage by all present. He told the Minister in no uncertain terms that "...public servants should be on tap - not on top!" We were eventually able to win the day, and members now have the facility to enjoy.

He was made a life member of the ALP in 1990 and the guest speaker was Tony's hero - former Prime Minister Gough Whitlam.

It is important for RTBU members and union members generally to be aware of the effort Tony Mulvihill put in, not only for the then ARU, but for the people of Australia today, the environment and the native animals and fauna of this wonderful country.

It can truly be said that Australia is a better place for having Tony Mulvihill as an activist/citizen. I would also like to convey my condolences to Patricia O'Connell.

An edited version of an article that originally appeared in Rail and Road; vol. 93, no. 1, February 2001, the magazine of the Rail, Tram and Bus Union (Public Transport Union).


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*   View entire issue - print all of the articles!

*   Issue 91 contents

In this issue
Features
*  Interview: Costa on Compo
Labor Council�s secretary gives his take on the Big Stink over Della�s workers compensation package.
*
*  Politics: Della's List
All Labor members of Parliament were this week asked to indicate whether they would support injured workers. More than half said 'yes'. Here they are.
*
*  Unions: Picketing Joy
Rowan Cahill chronicled the definitive dispute of 2000 for Workers Online. He looks back on the battle and the lessons to be drawn from the workers at Joy.
*
*  History: Vale Tony Mulvihill
The environment, migrant workers and the hairy nosed wombat have reason to be thankful for the active citizenship of Tony Mulvihill.
*
*  Economics: Stopping the Rot
A national campaign is underway to persuade politicians from both the major parties that they need to be addressing the issue of poverty within Australia.
*
*  International: East Timor � Beyond the Headlines
It�s now more than 18 months since the violence and bloodshed following the popular consultation on the future of East Timor was front page news in Australia.
*
*  Technology: Online Breathing Space
The global collapse of faith in new technology has given journalists a chance to prepare themselves for the real revolution, writes David Higgins
*
*  Satire: Howard Cuts Beer Price to Get Voters Drunk
Prime Minister John Howard has agreed to cut the excise on beer, in the hope cheaper drinks will help get the country drunk enough to vote for him.
*
*  Review: The Battle for 96.9Fm is Over
What would you get if you crossed 2DAY FM, 2MMM, JJJ and MIX 106.5 FM? A fairly commercial radio station that wouldn�t know the difference between throwing up, stuffing up, growing up or breaking up.
*

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»  Beazley Gives Boost To Bakery Workers
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»  Employment, Environment Vital to US-Australia Trade Deal
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»  Extra $1.37 Billion Needed for Unis
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»  Campaigning Workshop Establishes Local Campaign Initiative
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»  Activist Notebook
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Columns
»  The Soapbox
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»  The Locker Room
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»  Trades Hall
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»  Tool Shed
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Letters to the editor
»  Organising - Dools Causes a Storm
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»  Dools Replies
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»  Singalong with Della!
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»  Compo Forum - A Lib Responds
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»  Like a Lamb to the Slaughter
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