People Australia

Pescia, Charles (Charlie) (1869-1937) coachbuilder and trade union official 

Birth: 9 November 1869 at Smythesdale, Victoria, son of Peter Pescia (1836-1906), a licensed victualler, born at Canton Ticino, Switzerland, and his first wife Henrietta Jane, née Gurnett (1850-1889). [His birth was registered under the surname ‘Pesher’.] Marriage: 1905 at Richmond, Victoria, to native-born Hardina Sarah Heron (1882-1966). They had two sons. Death: 4 August 1937 in his residence at Kew, Melbourne. 

• By 1903 was a coachbuilder living at Richmond.
• An active member of the Coachmakers' and Wheelwrights’ Union from about 1899. Held various offices including vice-president in 1908 and treasurer in 1909. Was president of the Victorian branch five times. Victorian State secretary of the Coachmakers’ Employees’ Federation at time of Union’s representative on the Wages Board in 1912.
• Elected first president of the federation which formed in 1913 through the amalgamation of several State unions. Remained as president until about 1924 and was federal secretary for nearly ten years until his death.
• Member of Iceni Lodge and Star of Richmond, No. 8, United ancient Order of Druids.
• Cause of death: lobar pneumonia and cardiac failure.

Sources
Labor Call (Melbourne), Victorian ALP Central Executive Report, 21 April 1938, p 9.