Categories

Waterfront History

Rupert Lockwood’s first volume of Melbourne waterfront history, from the first settlement to the end of World War II, is now being prepared for publication by Hale and Iremonger. Rupert says that the commission from Melbourne Branch, Waterside Workers’ Federation, absolved him from the restraints that prejudice many trade union histories. There were no see-no-hear-no-evil orders, and so his history covers not only many heroic struggles and defeats, but crime, corruption, scabbery, the callousness, greed and irresponsibility of shipowners and their agents, union-smashing offensives by governments, press and employers and much else. Historic photos are included.