HANSARD EXTRACT
| Adjournment:
John Patrick Ducker |
| 6 December 2005 |
Mr HAYES
(Werriwa)
(9.00
p.m.)—Tonight
I rise to pay tribute to a giant of the labour movement in New South
Wales—John Patrick Ducker. Outside of one’s immediate family, it is
a little rare to have someone who has a profound influence on your
life and career over a period of 30 years. However, in my case I was
fortunate to have one such person—John Ducker. In my first speech in
this place, I said:
It would also be remiss of me if I did not mention
John Ducker, a long-time mentor who has had a significant influence
on me.
I went on to note that
John Ducker was a man who, in addition to his success in the
corporate world, had maintained his dedication to his family, his
church and the labour movement. Sadly, after a long illness,
John
died on 29 November. I take this opportunity to pass on my sincere
condolences to his wife,
Valerie, his sons, Paul and Tony, and their families.
It was 55 years ago that a young John Ducker arrived on these shores
as an assisted migrant from England and from these beginnings set
out on a career chronicled by reform, commitment and success.
Neville Wran once said that John Ducker was the most significant
Yorkshireman to come to these shores since Captain Cook. From his
earliest days as a rank and file member of the Federated Ironworkers
Association, to shop steward and through to becoming Secretary of
the Labor Council of New South Wales and Vice-President of the ACTU,
John was Labor through and through.
Much of the reform within the labour movement was brought about
during his period as President of the
New South Wales branch of the ALP. Between 1972 and 1979, as a
member of the Legislative Council of New South Wales,
John
ensured that much of the workplace developments that impacted on
public policy found their way into legislation under the Wran
government.
I refer to him as a tough and determined leader, but that would be
an understatement, particularly to his opponents. However, I also
knew him to be a very kind and generous man who went out of his way
to assist my career. He assisted me from my earliest days as a young
union official right through to when I established my business as a
mediator. He also went on to assist me in building relationships
with major companies and corporations throughout the country.
John was a great source of encouragement in the lead-up to my
election as member for Werriwa.
In addition to his involvement in the labour movement,
John
will be remembered for his distinguished service to the New South
Wales Public Service Board, of which he later became chairman. He
was the second longest serving member on the board of Qantas and
also served on the boards of Aristocrat and Hills Motorway. John
also demonstrated enormous commitment and dedication to community
service, serving as Chairman of the Mona Vale Hospital and the
Manly-Warringah Area Health Service boards, the New South Wales
Ambulance Service board as well as the Duke of Edinburgh Trust and
Workskills Australia. His commitment to secondary education in his
local community was shown during his time as Chairman of the
Mater Maria Catholic College council.
Central to
John’s life was his church. He was a very devout Catholic and an
enthusiastic participant in his parish of the Sacred Heart, Mona
Vale. Throughout his political life, he ensured that his actions
were consistent with the doctrines of his faith. In recognition of
his public work, John was appointed an Officer of the Order of
Australia and, in recognition of his service to the Catholic Church,
John was made a Knight Commander of the Order of Saint Gregory.
John
was always a person I could call on for impartial advice. He was
never one to tell you what he thought you wanted to hear, but before
commenting he always weighed up competing views.
John’s
advice was not only impartial but always well-reasoned and
considered. I think the former Premier of New South Wales Barrie
Unsworth best summed up
John’s
career when he said:
John
Ducker successfully led the Industrial and political Labor in New
South Wales to attain lasting benefits for all working people.
I am very fortunate to refer to
John Ducker as my mate.
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