Alistair Dickinson 1934-2009

It is with sadness that we inform you that long-time left-wing Alistair Dickinson passed away on March 13. Dick was 75 years old. He had fought hard for some months against cancer.

Dick had been a social, environmental and political activist for many decades. He was born in Newcastle in Britain. Prior to emigrating to New Zealand and finally Australia, he had been active in the British Communist Party. In Australia he spent time in the Communist Party of Australia, the Democratic Socialist Party and, more recently, the Socialist Alliance.

Dick participated in a great many campaigns, such as the opposition to the development of the Australian Defence Industries site at Penrith. He was a stalwart of the Parramatta Peace Group and would invariably be sighted at all the anti-war, anti-corporate-globalisation, trade union and environment rallies and events. His overriding concern was the environment and the issue of global warming.

A memorial commemorating Dick's life was held on April 4 at his home in St Marys, Sydney.

From GLW issue 790