Union Remembers The Three Pioneers and Honours a Century Old Tradition

The Australian Workers Union Victoria is placing wattle sprigs on the graves of three union pioneers. It is continuing a tradition and honouring a pledge that the three unionists made to each other over a century ago.

The three Victorians were foundation members of the AWU working as shearers in the 1890s. One of them, ALP organiser Andy McKissock, died from the Spanish flu in July 1919, at the age of 46. Before he died, two of his union mates Jack Barnes and John McNeill promised him that wattle would be planted on each of their graves, in remembrance of their time spent happily on the land in their youth.

Senator Barnes served as AWU national president up to his death in January 1938 at the age of 69, succeeded as AWU president by his friend John McNeill who served the union until his death in June 1943 at the age of 74.

Each of the AWU “Three Musketeers” served at different times as members of Australia’s National Parliament, but none were parliamentarians at the time of their death. Senator McKissock is buried at Ballarat General Cemetery, and Senator Barnes and J McNeill MHR are buried at the Melbourne Cemetery in Parkville.

Current Victorian branch secretary Ben Davis said “More than one hundred years ago three foundational members of the AWU made a pledge to each other. Today we honour that pledge."

Pictured Below: The Three Musketeers [Andrew McKissock, Jack Barnes & John McNeill]