When
Where
Why
An inspiring tour on the rise and fall of Australia’s maritime industries and the industrial Balmain waterfront. Learn about the highlights of Sydney’s workers movements from the radical 1890s through to the rebel 1960s and 70s.
Learn about the militant worker politics that thrived on the docks and in the factories on the Balmain peninsula and visit the sites of some key struggles.
Tour guides
James Wyner, Socialist Alliance member and grandson of militant socialist Izzy Wyner. Izzy Wyner was Leichhardt councillor, a mayor, a unionist, an activist and an historian. His involvement with unions and Council once earned him the epithet “Australia’s most elected man.” James will rely the key moments in Sydney’s militant waterside battles and the role his grandfather played in forging a revolutionary movement in Balmain and Leichhardt.
Hall Greenland, Australian political activist. He participated in the Freedom Rides and was an activist against the war in Vietnam. During the 1970s he wrote for Rolling Stone and The Digger. He served on Leichhardt Council and is the recipient of a Walkley Award. He is the author of a biography of Nick Origlass, Red Hot: The Life and Times of Nick Origlass. In 2013 he was the Australian Greens candidate for Grayndler. He is the President of Friends of Callan Park.
Learn about the radical political backgrounds and achievements of Balmain socialists Izzy Wyner and Nick Origlass, active in the 1960s and 1970s. Hear about their their battle to transform Leichhardt Council into a truly open and democratic institution.
Schedule
- 11am meet at entrance to Balmain Ferry Wharf, Mort's Bay. Park car nearby, or catch a ferry from Circular Quay to Balmain.
- 11.15am Walk along foreshore to Issy Wyner and Nick Origlass Plaque, near old Mort's Dock. Hear from James Wyner.
- 11.30am Walk to Issy Wyner Reserve (Playground), corner Mort St and Curtis Ave, Balmain - opposite former Painters and Dockers Office. Hear from James Wyner.
- 11.50am Walk back to parked cars, drive to Elkington Park, Fitzroy Ave, Balmain. Look over Cockatoo Island.
- Hear from James Wyner.
- 12.20pm Drive to Leichhardt Town Hall, corner of Marion and, Norton St, Leichhardt. Park in council car park (2 hours free parking).
- 12.30pm Inside the Leichhardt Town Hall hear from Hall Greenland. This section will be free. If you can’t make the Balmain section of the car convoy, meet us at Leichhardt Town Hall.
If you don't have a car, contact Rachel 0403 517 266 to arrange transport. The tour takes 2.5 hours and will comply with all COVID-19 safety regulations.
Only fully vaccinated participants and speakers may attend and if you are sick, please don’t attend.
*The event is entirely outdoors. If the weather is very wet we will postpone. Everyone who is booked will have a ticket for future walks.
Proceeds donated to Green Left, Australia's leading progressive media outlet.
Costs: $30 adult; $22 low waged; $10 for students. $50 family of four, $50 solidarity. Free if in hardship. Free at Leichhardt Town Hall section. Group bookings for students and others available.