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Interview with Fr. Peter Norden, Jesuit priest and former Chaplain for Pentridge Prison, about Norm Galllagher, Australian trade unionist [sound recording] / interviewed by Barry York
Bib ID 332239
Format AudioAudio [sound recording]
Author
Norden, Peter, Father, 1950-
 
Access Conditions Access open for research and personal copies; written permission required for public use during the lifetime of the interviewee. 
Description 2000 
1 digital audio tape (ca. 65 min.) 
Series

Memories of Norm Gallagher oral history project

Summary

Norden speaks of his initial reservations about Gallagher's notoriety prior to meeting him but later found him to be loyal in his friendship, of sound judgment and a deep sense of compassion although brusque in manner, how Gallagher would ask for things on behalf of other prisoners, his attitude was politely respectful, his concern over the use of illegal drugs in prison particularly amongst the young prisoners, how he overcome his initial distress at his separation from family and friends, how he had the Brosnan Centre built as a halfway house for young prisoners, the corruption allegation against Gallagher, Premier John Cain's attitude towards Gallagher, the Catholic Church's interest and support for trade unions, his view of the media portrayal of Gallagher.

Biography/History

Norm Gallagher, born and raised in Melbourne, became a leading trade unionist as a result of his membership from 1951 of the Builders Labourers Union (BLF). By 1970 he was elected as the BLF's Victorian State Secretary and radically improved pay and conditions on building sites. His militant leadership style initially united union factions but later alienated the union from employers as well as the Victorian Labor Government and other union leaders. Following a royal commission into the BLF business affairs, it was deregistered and Gallagher was trialled and jailed for corruption and later finally ousted from his position as State Secretary in 1991.

Notes

Not yet preserved.

Recorded on Mar. 16, 2000 in Richmond, Vic.

Index/Finding Aid Note Summary available (4 p.) 
Subjects Gallagher, Norm, - 1931-1999 - Biography.  |  Australian Building Construction Employees' and Builders' Labourers' Federation.  |  Australian Building Construction Employees' and Builders' Labourers' Federation - Corrupt practices.  |  Australian Building Construction Employees' and Builders' Labourers' Federation - History.  |  Labor unions - Building trades - Australia - History.  |  Labor unions - Building trades - Australia - Corrupt practices.  |  Labor union members - Victoria - Biography.  |  Labor union members - Australia - Biography.  |  Norden, Peter, - Father, - 1950- - Interviews.  |  Labor unions - Construction workers - Australia.
Occupation Trade unionists.
Other authors/contributors York, Barry, 1951-

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    Details Collect From
    ORAL TRC 4542/2 Petherick Reading Room (Oral History)
    ORAL TRC 4542/2 Petherick Reading Room (Oral History)
    ORAL TRC 4542/2 Petherick Reading Room (Oral History)

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