Issue # 1426      2 September 2009

Harry Black – 90 not out

Around 150 people joined communist veteran Harry Black and his family to celebrate his 90th birthday at the Balmain Leagues Club in Sydney on August 17. Warren Smith, chair of the Communist Party of Australia and secretary of the Sydney Branch of the Maritime Union of Australia (MUA), was the MC.

“I was the girl who signed him into the union in 1951 and signed him out in July 1981,” said Ina Heidtman, office manager of the Waterside Workers’ Federation. Ina worked for the union for 46 years. Harry and Ina both joined the Communist Party in 1953 and their long association has continued until today in the Party and through the Retired Members’ Association of the MUA where Harry still plays a leading role. (The MUA was formed when the WWF and Seamen’s Union of Australia amalgamated in 1993.)

“Harry is a true friend, a man of great integrity, wisdom and compassion. He looks for the best in people, is a complete optimist,” Ina said. He was always involved in all the struggles that advanced the interests of waterside workers, and workers in general.

Rus Gow, president of the Retired MUA Members Association paid tribute to Harry’s enormous contribution to that organisation. Mick Dolman MUA assistant national secretary brought greetings from the national office and recounted the years that he had known Harry.

Former MUA Sydney Branch secretary Jim Donovan and long-time comrade in the Maritime Branch of the CPA had many personal tales to tell of Harry’s exploits and battles over 45 years of struggle and comradeship together in the Party and union.

In the union Harry held a number of positions including job delegate and vice-president. After “retiring” he took up full time work for the Party for some years. He served as secretary of the Sydney District Committee, secretary of the Maritime Branch, and was an executive member of the Central Committee.

Madelene Evans spoke on behalf of the family; three sisters and two nieces were present. Madelene gave another insight into her uncle’s personality and his love and closeness to his family.

A number of speakers referred to Harry’s reputation as a great orator and these skills were still evident in his contribution. Harry told his life story, starting as a young boy in Rylstone where there was “plenty of fresh air, cricket, football and horse riding, a good mum and dad – and good food”.

Harry’s life reads like a history lesson: military service in the Middle East, New Guinea and Borneo in WW2; national strikes; the Petrov frame-up; solidarity with New Zealand wharfies during a 151-day dispute; raids on the union office by security forces; right through to the Patrick dispute in 1998.

Harry described the 1950s as a “real golden era of working class development”. There were cultural activities including the painting of a magnificent mural, concerts, art exhibitions, the Wharfies Film Group, book displays, lectures, theatre, the visit of Paul Robeson and the union’s Jazz Band.

Harry also paid tribute to dear friends and comrades with whom he has had many years of association in the union and CPA – Jim Donovan, Mick Power, Ina Heidtman and Anne Duffy-Lindsay and thanked the Sydney Branch and those who had organised such a special day.

Harry concluded with a warning, “I have enough life in me to fight the world.

“So I fight.

“I am going to join you in that fight!”

Happy Birthday Harry from your Comrades on The Guardian and in the CPA!

There will be extracts from
Jim’s speech in a future issue
of The Guardian.

Next article – Govt accused over jail deaths report

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