Lou Gugenberger, 1930-1998

Lou Gugenberger, one of the stalwarts of the left and green movements in Brisbane for many years, died of a heart attack on January 8.

A lifelong friend of Lou's told the diverse audience at the funeral ceremony held on January 19 that Lou had said just before he died that he wanted "to be remembered as a professional political agitator". He also described himself as a Marxist, as well as a green.

Lou's brother Carl called him a "great character", who believed that "ordinary, little people can make a difference".

Born in Italy, of Hungarian descent, Lou migrated to Australia in 1949.

Long-time friend Tom McHenry told the audience that "Lou was always in the forefront of the struggles of the oppressed". From Vietnam to the Gulf War, to French nuclear testing in the Pacific, to Bougainville; "Lou always stepped forward against injustice".

Among many other causes, Gugenberger was a member of Amnesty International, the Queensland Watchdog Committee, Citizens Against Watch-house Detention of Children, and the Bougainville War Crimes Committee.

Most recently, he was an active participant in the Anti-Racism Committee which organised protests against Pauline Hanson's One Nation Party and in support of native title.

Lou had a varied work history, from timber worker, to tram conductor, to teacher and finally school principal.

He was a founding member of the Queensland Greens, and convener of the North Brisbane branch.

Greens spokesperson Drew Hutton told the funeral service that Lou was "a fulcrum for the Greens", someone who would "argue intensely, but always put everything aside for the good of the cause".

Hutton read out a condolence message from Greens Senator Bob Brown who noted that Lou had a "profound commitment to social justice and the environment".

Lou's passion and determination will be missed around the progressive movement in Brisbane.

<>97> Jim McIlroy

From GLW issue 303