The Guardian 15 February, 2006
Adelaide: Community Wakeup Concert
A Community Wakeup Concert organised by SA Unions, the Maritime Union of Australia and
theatre group Vitalstatistix brought together a host of speakers, acts and activities in
support of the Your Rights at Work Campaign last Sunday. A group of young actors gave an
impromptu comedy performance depicting an exchange between workers and their boss
debating the relative merits of AWAs. Among the speakers were local Federal MP Rod
Sawford, State Minister for Families and Communities Jay Weatherill and Claire McCarthy
for the Greens. Beryl Miller of the Union of Australian Women spoke of the class forces
behind the Howard Government's IR assault while retired wharfie Rex Munn talked about
the many struggles that centred on the Waterside Workers' Federation Hall where the
concert was being held. The hall may well be under threat from the redevelopment now
taking place in Port Adelaide. Rex then fired the audience up with a powerful rendition of
The Ballad of Joe Hill in honour of Paul Robeson who had spoken and sung in the
hall many years ago. A local committee in support of Your Rights at Work is being
organised.