Vale - Alan Rix

Alan Rix was a true Trade Unionist. As a Delegate he would represent any member of any union, no matter what flag they flew. As a result Alan was highly respected by members, delegates and officials from all Unions.

Over the years as Alan moved from job to job he was a member of a various Unions, from AWU, BLF, Iron Workers, Miners and even the Painters Union. But overall Rixy was a

Construction Worker at heart.

It’s hard to believe now but Alan was a proud member of both, The Australian Workers Union and the Builders Labourers Federation. Alan first joined the AWU in the early 1970s, this was followed with stints with the Iron Workers Union and BLF. As a Delegate for the BLF, Alan was a Senior Delegate on the construction of the Portland Smelter.

Alan started as an Organiser with the AWU in 1991 and retired in September 2006. He had the respect of both workers and bosses, he was able to turn up to a construction site unannounced, talk to both workers and bosses as he wished, he had a real gift for communication and action.

The AWU is proud to have Alan Rix as a Life Member we recognise the exceptional contribution he made and as an Organiser Alan organised some of the biggest construction projects in Victoria including:

· City Link.

· Ring Road

· East Link

· Geelong Road Upgrade.

The AWU passes on deepest sympathies and wishes to Alan's family and friends.

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Solidarity Forever - A Song by Ralph Chaplin© 1915

When the union's inspiration through the workers' blood shall run There can be no power greater anywhere beneath the sun Yet what force on earth is weaker than the feeble strength of one For the Union makes us strong

Chorus Solidarity forever, solidarity forever Solidarity forever For the Union makes us strong

Is there aught we hold in common with the greedy parasite  Who would lash us into serfdom and would crush us with his might?   Is there anything left to us but to organise and fight?   For the union makes us strong

It is we who ploughed the prairies, built the cities where they trade Dug the mines and built the workshops, endless miles of railroad laid Now we stand outcast and starving 'mid the wonders we have made But the union makes us strong 

All the world  that's owned by idle drones is ours and ours alone  We have laid the wide foundations, built it skyward stone by stone  It is ours, not to slave in, but to master and to own   While the union makes us strong

They have taken untold millions that they never toiled to earn But without our brain and muscle not a single wheel can turn We can break their haughty power gain our freedom when we learn That the Union makes us strong

 In our hands is placed a power greater than their hoarded gold Greater than the might of armies magnified a thousandfold We can bring to birth a new world from the ashes of the old For the Union makes us strong