Launch of Origlass biography

Launch of Origlass biography

By Shane Bentley

SYDNEY — More than 150 people attended the launch of Red Hot, Hall Greenland's biography of Nick Origlass, at Balmain Town Hall on September 6.

Origlass was one of Australia's original Trotskyists, leading the small Balmain-based Fourth International group for decades. He died in 1996 after suffering a stroke.

He is best remembered for leading a six-week strike on the Balmain docks in 1945, against the Communist leadership of the ironworkers' union, and implementing the "open council" policy during his first stint as Leichhardt's mayor in 1971.

Hosted by Leichhardt mayor Kris Cruden, speakers at the launch included Hall Greenland; Issy Wyner, Origlass's long-term comrade-in-arms; and Ted Mack, former NSW MP and federal MP for North Sydney.

Wyner gave a stirring speech about the collapse of Stalinism and the continuing relevance of Leon Trotsky's ideas.

Greenland talked about some of the lighter moments in his work with Origlass. Origlass was legendary for his long-winded speeches and his habit of turning his hearing aid off when he didn't want to be interrupted mid-speech.

From GLW issue 333