A man of grit and integrity
I couldn't let this important day pass without rallying myself and at least writing the easiest of blogs for you. This blog (with some additions) was written and published back in 2016 in another area and this man, and his convictions still moves me today. ARTHUR RAE Arthur was born in Christchurch New Zealand in March 1860, one of nine children to the English born, Charles and Anne (nee Beldam). Charles was a painter and glazier who was also Secretary of the Railway Employee's Association. He trained as a mechanic but later worked as a shearer and labourer joining the Amalgamated Shearers' Union of Australasia upon its formation in 1866. Arthur crossed the Tasman in 1889 and helped to found the first Labor Party in Sydney and went to prison during the Maritime Strike in 1890. He was said to have brought the Riverina shearers out in support of the strike but due to public demand he was released after one month. Arthur continued to push the "bush" unions thro...