Gaylene Denise Seadon: 30.11.1954-31.5.2003

BY SONJA FORSBERG

MELBOURNE — Gaylene Seardon died this week after a long battle with cancer. A single mother, Gaylene was an advocate of the rights of working people, the unemployed, youth, women and all who fought injustice and, as was recalled fondly by those who loved her, a very loud advocate at that.

She is credited with having the public gallery closed down at Trades Hall because of her inability to abide hypocrisy and sellouts quietly.

The list of causes that Gaylene was involved in over the years was extensive. If it happened in Melbourne, Gaylene was usually involved — fearlessly and tirelessly.

She was not just a socialist in theory. The depth of her values was apparent in her friendships, and in particular in the support she gave her women friends.

She was our sister, and comrade in struggle, and a very real working-class fighter in the best sense of those words.

Gaylene was loved and will be missed by all who knew her.

From Green Left Weekly, June 11, 2003.

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From GLW issue 541