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Anear, Richard Arnold (Dick) (1920–2003)

Richard (Dick) Anear. Birth: 27 August 1920, Charters Towers, Qld. Marriage: Maria Rosa (Mary) ? Death: 9/2003, Queensland.

Began working life, 1934, in butcher’s shop at Chillagoe, north Queensland. Then worked at Chillagoe Copper Smelters before enlisting in Second AIF, seeing service in New Guinea and Borneo. After war worked as a PMG linesman, before returning to meat industry as freezer at Borthwicks plant at Murarrie, Brisbane. 1962, elected Secretary, Meatworkers’ Board of Control, holding position until 1979 at which time elected Branch Secretary. Branch President, 1975-1979 and member of South District Council. 1981 elected Federal Vice-President, Australasian Meat Industry Employees' Union AMIEU. Retired 1985. Assisted in overcoming wages division between incentive and non-incentive workers and in establishing a union run provident fund. 1979-1985, member of executive of Queensland Trades and Labor Council. Joined CPA, 1939. 1949, elected full time secretary of north Queensland district, CPA. Wife, Mary, ‘a staunch and devoted trade unionist in her own right’. Worked at Provincial Traders (now Inghams) for 14 years being local board secretary for 8 years.

Meatworker (Qld), March/April 1981;  Oct 1985

Original Publication

  • Biographical Register of the Australian Labour Movement 1788-1975, 2012

Additional Resources

Citation details

'Anear, Richard Arnold (Dick) (1920–2003)', People Australia, National Centre of Biography, Australian National University, https://peopleaustralia.anu.edu.au/biography/anear-richard-arnold-dick-25520/text33864, accessed 25 June 2021.

© Copyright People Australia, 2012