Jim Doyle, Working Class Warrior

When JIM DOYLE was born in Rockhampton, Queensland on 13th July, 1918, the AWU was only 32 years young. He was the son of a transport carrier who used teams of horses to haul the heavy, valuable loads from outback Queensland to the respective shipping terminals.

At a very young age his family moved to Longreach where he was educated. When he left school he picked up work in ‘outback’ Queensland in the Longreach, Barcaldine, Blackhall and Winton regions as a ‘knock-about’ learner shearer.

In 1933 at age 15 he joined the Australian Workers’ Union and pursued his trade as a shearer. He followed the shearing sheds in the Bush up and down the Eastern states in Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria and Tasmania.

In 1941 at age 23 he enlisted in the Australian Army and fought for his country. It was then that he had the presence of mind to place in trust sufficient monies to be paid to his Union, this was to cover the cost of his union ticket in his absence. As a result he has maintained his financial AWU membership for a continuous period of 79 years.

At 93 years young, JIM DOYLE is a walking, talking history of his union. He is a past full time official of the Australian Workers Union and a Life member.

He is an agitator, critic and educator and continues in his own way, to be a very effective organiser for Workers throughout the World.