The Sydney Wharfies Mural

Abstract

Painted on the walls of the Waterside Workers' Federation of Australia's Sussex Street headquarters between 1953 and 1965, the Sydney Wharfies Mural weaves waterside history, labour history and Australian history, 1872-1991, like a tapestry, portraying writer Henry Lawson, the struggle for the Eight Hour day, the Depression, the gaoling of Newcastle coal union leader Peter Bowling, the writings of Karl Marx, the pick up, conscription, both world wars, the general strike, soldiers coming home, the 'bull' days and the wharves, police confrontations, the Communist Party, the dole queue, the Spanish Civil War, wharfies' leader Jim Healy, Hitler's concentration camps and the fight against fascism. Artists involved in the mural include Rod Shaw, Sonny Glynn, Vi Collings, Clem Millward, Ralph Sawyer, Pat Graham and Evelyn Healy.