Charles (Charlie) Bellotti (1864–1950)
This article was published:
- in the Biographical Register of the Australian Labour Movement, 1788-1975
- online in 2022
Charles [Carlo] (‘Scrubs’) Bellotti (1864-1950) seaman, stevedore & trade unionist
Birth: 19 January 1864 in Novara, Italy, son of Carlo Bellotti, mercer, and Anna Maria, née Fallotti. Marriage: 13 June 1894 in St George’s Church, Carlton, Victoria, to Annie Maria McGee. They had two daughters and three sons. Death: 28 February 1950 in Port Melbourne, Victoria.
- Arrived in Victoria abord the Vanguard in April 1888.
- Militant member of Port Melbourne branch of Waterside Workers’ Federation (WWF). Follower of ‘Chummie’ Fleming and Australian Anarchist group.
- 1910 attempted to form cooperative stevedoring system which failed due to victimisation by monopoly Victorian Stevedoring Co.
- Prominent in 1928 ‘dog collar’ strike, agitating in broken English for fellow wharfies to follow his example and not take out union-smashing licences. While thus denied work on waterfront Charlie continued his involvement with WWF. Was unemployed when he applied to be naturalised in April 1929, vouched for as “honest, sober and industrious” by the manager of the Port Phillip Stevedoring Co. Ltd.
Sources
Maritime Worker, 11 March 1950, p. 5 and Age (Melbourne), 3 April 1929, p.5
Additional Resources and Scholarship
- death notice, Age (Melbourne), 1 March 1950, p 2
- funeral notice, Age (Melbourne), 2 March 1950, p 2
Related Entries in NCB Sites
- Bellotti, Charles (Charlie)
- Fleming, John William (colleague)
Citation details
'Bellotti, Charles (Charlie) (1864–1950)', People Australia, National Centre of Biography, Australian National University, https://peopleaustralia.anu.edu.au/biography/bellotti-charles-charlie-32277/text39954, accessed 26 December 2024.
Life Summary [details]
Alternative Names
- Bellotti, Carlo
- Belloth, Charlie
Birth
19 January,
1864
Novara,
Novara,
Italy
Death
28 February,
1950
(aged 86)
Port Melbourne, Melbourne,
Victoria,
Australia
Cultural Heritage
Includes subject's nationality; their parents' nationality; the countries in which they spent a significant part of their childhood, and their self-identity.