People Australia

  • searches all National Centre of Biography websites
  • searches all National Centre of Biography websites
  • searches all National Centre of Biography websites

Browse Lists:

Cultural Advice

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people should be aware that this website contains names, images, and voices of deceased persons.

In addition, some articles contain terms or views that were acceptable within mainstream Australian culture in the period in which they were written, but may no longer be considered appropriate.

These articles do not necessarily reflect the views of The Australian National University.

Older articles are being reviewed with a view to bringing them into line with contemporary values but the original text will remain available for historical context.

Muriel (Ida) Goss (1933–?)

by Allison Murchie

This article was published:

Muriel (Ida) Goss (1933-?) trade union official and women’s movement activist

Birth:  28 July 1933 at Adelaide, South Australia, daughter of Samuel Leonard Jenkins and Florence Ethel, née Wilson. Marriage: details unknown to Joseph Goss (1956-1975). Death: unknown. 

  • Educated at All Souls private school, St Peters, and Seaton Park Primary School, South Australia.
  • Member of the Communist Party of Australia from 1955 to 1968 and of the Socialist Party of Australia from 1969.
  • State Councillor of Amalgamated Metal Workers and Shipwrights’ Union (AMSWU) and delegate of Trades and Labour Council 1972-1975. State Councillor, Amalgamated and Engineering Union (AEU) 1969-1972. First woman to hold positions of branch secretary and State Councillor in AEU.
  • Wrote many articles for union journals.
  • Initiated Australian Council of Trade Unions’ Working Women’s Charter by drafting charter for women in 1972, endorsed by AMWSU and developed by other organisations.
  • State Secretary and national committee member of Union of Australian Women (UAW) from 1981, president of UAW SA from 1968, treasurer and assistant secretary from 1964 to 1968.
  • Organiser of SA May Day Committee 1980-81. Treasurer United Nations Status of women Committee SA from 1980.
  • Socialist candidate for the Australian Senate in 1975 and 1977.

Citation details

Allison Murchie, 'Goss, Muriel (Ida) (1933–?)', People Australia, National Centre of Biography, Australian National University, https://peopleaustralia.anu.edu.au/biography/goss-muriel-ida-33829/text42367, accessed 26 December 2024.

© Copyright People Australia, 2012