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Leonard Austin (Len) Chung (1917–1984)

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Leonard Austin Wong (Len) Chung (1917- 1984) textile worker and trade union leader 

Birth: 5 August 1917 at Canadian, East Ballarat, Victoria, son of Ballarat-born parents James Wong Chung (1869-1925), miner, and Margaret Ann, née Holderhead (1874-1958). Marriage: 27 December 1958 in Ballarat to Emily Jean Vague, operator. Death: 21 April 1984 at Ballarat. Religion: Catholic.

  • Was a textile worker when he enlisted in the Australian Imperial Force on 1 August 1940. No record available of his war service.
  • Prominent in Victorian branch of Textile Workers’ Union from 1944 when he became a management committee member of Provincial Division (Ballarat). President Provincial Division in 1945.
  • Delegate to Ballarat Trades Hall Council 1945-74. Provincial division secretary 1948-72. State Management Committee member 1950-1974.
  • Australian Labor Party delegate 1951-1974. President, Victorian branch, November 1957-1960. Federal Council Delegate 1961-1974. Federal management committee member, 1970-1974. State organiser 1960?-74.
  • Cause of death: terminal pneumonia, hypoventilation and motor neurone disease.

Sources
Textile Topics, November 1974.

Citation details

'Chung, Leonard Austin (Len) (1917–1984)', People Australia, National Centre of Biography, Australian National University, https://peopleaustralia.anu.edu.au/biography/chung-leonard-austin-len-33013/text41147, accessed 16 September 2024.

© Copyright People Australia, 2012

Life Summary [details]

Birth

5 August, 1917
Ballarat, Victoria, Australia

Death

21 April, 1984 (aged 66)
Ballarat, Victoria, Australia

Cause of Death

pneumonia

Religious Influence

Includes the religion in which subjects were raised, have chosen themselves, attendance at religious schools and/or religious funeral rites; Atheism and Agnosticism have been included.

Occupation
Military Service
Key Organisations
Political Activism