Marine Cooks, Bakers and Butchers Association of Australasia medal
Date1907
Object number00047671
NameMedal
Mediummetal
DimensionsOverall: 35 x 23 x 2 mm
ClassificationsCoins and medals
Credit LineANMM Collection Gift from William J Heath
DescriptionMaterial relating to William (Bill) Heath's career as a marine cook and his trade union and welfare work with the Marine Cooks' Bakers' & Butchers' Association of Australasia and the Seamans' Union.HistoryThe Marine Cooks' Bakers' & Butchers' Association of Australasia was formed in 1908 after branching from the Federated Marine Stewards and Pantrymen's Association and operated until 1983 when it amalgamated into the Seamens' Union of Australia. In 1993 a further amalgamation between the Seamens' Union and the Waterside Workers' Federation of Australia created the Maritime Union of Australia.
William J Heath worked as a marine cook and was a significant figure in the Marine Cooks' Bakers' & Butchers' Association and then the Seaman's Union from the 1950s to the 1980s. He was the ACTU nominee to the Seamen's War Pensions and Allowances Committee from 1974 to 1984 and active in trade union and welfare work for Australian mariners.
The ANMM collection includes a large archive of material and ephemera relating to William (Bill) Heath's career as a marine cook and his trade union and welfare work.
SignificanceBill Heath was a significant figure in the Seamans' Union and in a series of campaigns for compensation for maritime workers.
