From tiny home in Padstow, schooling at East Hills Boys High in the 1960s, to Australia’s leading investment banker, is not a common route, then as now. Former CEO of Bankers Trust Australia (BTA), 1985 to 1999, then its chairman to 2001, Robert Alexander “Rob” Ferguson (2 December 1945- 31 August 2024) died last month after a long battle with the lung disease fibrosis. Jen, his wife of 56 years, sister Fiona, and son-in-law Pete kept vigil.
Stan Sharkey (1933-2024), NSW and national leader of building workers, former amateur and professional boxer, jockey, apprentice bricklayer, then skilled tradesman, communist, deserves tribute for an interesting, vital, important life.
It is an excellent question: ‘What would Tom think?’ Professor Tom Parry AM (1945-2024), economics professor, raconteur, businessman, and regulator, who was laid to rest at the end of May, was a rarity. A sharp mind who made economic rationalism understandable, popular, and effective.
John MacBean was born with the battle for workers’ rights in his blood, secured a 38-hour working week for health workers and promoted women within the union movement.
Shlomo Avineri who died on 1 December 2023 was one of Israel’s most outstanding public intellectuals.
The Hon. Michael Rueben Egan AO (1948-2024), who died yesterday, was the longest serving NSW Treasurer, 1995 to 2005.
Jeremy Jones (1958-2023), prominent community leader, interfaith activist, scholar, writer, Rabbitohs barracker, Australia/Israel & Jewish Affairs Council director, past president of the Executive Council of Australian Jewry, father, husband, mentor, and mensch, singularly contributed to modern Australia.
Simon Crean, who died unexpectedly of heart failure after an asthma attack in Germany yesterday, following a morning exercise, was Australia’s most successful trade minister, whose contributions to the Australian labour movement ranged over fifty years, including as ACTU President during the Accord era.
Tom McDonald was a building union leader and building industry reformer, superannuation pioneer, pro-Moscow communist turned “broad left” warrior, and celebrated elder of the Australian labour movement.