People Australia

Dudley Pearce Schubert (1908-1982) teacher and trade union official

Birth: 6 September 1908 at Largs Bay, South Australia, son of native-born parents Carl (Charles) August Schubert (1870-1946), clerk, and Emily Grace, née Pearce (1873-1952). Marriage: 18 December 1936 at Rose Park, South Australia, to Marjory Jean Whitburn (1909-1984). They had one daughter and one son. Death: 19 June 1982 at Merimbula, New South Wales; usual residence, at Wattlevalley Road, Canterbury, Victoria. Religion: Methodist.

• Descended from Johann Christian Schubert (1798), a soldier in the Prussian Army born in Klepsk [Klemzig], Lubuskie, Poland, who arrived in South Australia aboard the Prince George in November 1838.
• Primary school teacher in five schools with South Australian Department of Education.
• Acting secretary of the SA Institute of Teachers, Adelaide, in 1945 and president-elect. Represented teachers in Industrial Court in 1944. Organised SA Institute of Teachers Jubilee Conference.
• Moved to Melbourne with his family in December 1946 when appointed general secretary of the Victorian Teachers’ Union. Elected when union established Teachers’ Tribunal against Government opposition. Successful in major salary cases. Presented the first salary claim to tribunal (with Harold Loader). Retired as secretary in 1971.
• Known as a logical speaker, master tactician and a quiet man who liked a calm office atmosphere; He sometimes edited the journal and set up a union store, Whitehall Supplies Pty Ltd.
• Appointed Justice of the Peace, MBE in 1958 and OBE in 1962 for services to education. Rejected offer of a seat in parliament from both sides.
• Methodist Church worker and on Council for Christian Education, 1960-1971.
• Played State tennis for SA and became keen bowler in later years.
• Cause of death: myocardial infarction (1 hour), left ventricular failure (3 years) and chronic lymphatic leukaemia (4 years).

Sources
Teachers Journal (VTU), May 1956 p 114, December 1956 p 320, February 1958 p 9, November 1971 p 429; biographical cuttings at the National Library of Australia.