WATERSIDE WORKERS FEDERATION BANNER

46-56 IRELAND STREET WEST MELBOURNE, MELBOURNE CITY

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Victorian Heritage Register

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Statement of Significance

• Additional Place Information

  • History

    WATERSIDE WORKERS FEDERATION BANNER - History

    The WWF Banner is a trade union banner which was created by artist Richard 'Dick' Ovenden in the late 1940s at a time when the popularity of banners and processions were declining. It was the last of a series of banners created for the WWF.
    
    

    History of Banners
    
    

    The tradition of parades where the banners of unions and friendly societies were displayed originated in Britain. The first parades and banners in Victoria focused on the Eight Hour Day Movement, but as unions were formed, banners were created as a means of identity. They were elaborately painted with imagery and wording, usually had tassels and fringing, and were of a large scale to allow for them to be displayed on horse drawn carts and later, trucks. The imagery included tools and emblems associated with the various trades, and mottos espousing the vision and beliefs of the particular union or organisation. Figures depicted were usually men and if women were included, they were usually representations of ideals such as truth and wisdom.
    
    

    The development of waterside unions in Victoria
    
    

    In the nineteenth century, shipping companies held immense power due to their virtual monopoly over trade. There was little government regulation of the industry which was known for its unsafe working conditions and notorious 'bull' hiring system where men were chosen for each day's work. As casual labour was cheaper than mechanical equipment, the poor working conditions remained relatively unchanged despite the development of new technologies. 
    
    

    In the early 1880s, a number of non-unionised small strikes were held on the Yarra River wharves. In 1885, shipowners refused to allow waterfront workers to attend Eight Hour Day celebrations, providing the catalyst for the establishment of the Melbourne Wharf Labourers' Union (MWLU) which was supported by Trades Hall. Plans for a national organisation were disrupted in the early 1890s when employers attempted to defeat the unions prompting an Australia wide strike which became known as the Maritime Strike. Due to the 1890s Depression, many workers were seeking employment, and the strikes were ultimately broken by the use of non-union labour as well as police and military force. Following the Maritime Strike, the union movement realised that political representation was required to bring about social change which ultimately resulted in the formation of what is now the ALP.
    
    

    In 1902 the individual maritime unions amalgamated to become a national organisation known as the Waterside Workers' Federation of Australia. It was organised by Billy Hughes (Prime Minister from 1915 to 1923) and the first committee was made up entirely of Labor Party members. A series of amalgamations between the WWF and other unions occurred between 1950 and 1993 when the WWF became known as the MUA.
    
    

    Richard Ovenden (1897 - 1972)
    
    

    Richard 'Dick' Ovenden, artist of the Waterside Workers' Federation Banner was born in 1897 into a family active in the Victorian Socialist Party and the Australian Labor Party. He was a painter, cartoonist, caricaturist and book illustrator and had works published in The Labor Call: the official organ of the Political Labor Council of Victoria, the Australasian Seamen's Journal, the Argus and the Melbourne Herald. He had strong links with Australian maritime unions and with the ALP and his art exhibitions were usually opened by ALP identities. In 1950, Ovenden was involved in the formation of the Fellowship of Australian Artists and was organiser and secretary for the exhibition of Australian art during the Royal Tour. From 1955 to 1964 he was librarian at the Herald and Weekly Times. The Waterside Workers' Federation Banner is the only banner that Dick Ovenden is known to have painted. KEY REFERENCES USED TO PREPARE ASSESSMENT 
    
    

    Beasley, Margo (1996) Wharfies: The History of the Waterside Workers' Federation Halstead Press/Australian National Maritime Museum
    
    

    Reeves, Andrew (2005) Historical overview provided for nomination.
    
    

    Maritime Union of Australia, http://www.mua.org.au/1872_1936 (retrieved 5 December 2017)
    
    

    Permit Exemptions

    WATERSIDE WORKERS FEDERATION BANNER - Permit Exemptions

    General Exemptions:

    General exemptions apply to all places and objects included in the Victorian Heritage Register (VHR). General exemptions have been designed to allow everyday activities, maintenance and changes to your property, which don’t harm its cultural heritage significance, to proceed without the need to obtain approvals under the Heritage Act 2017.

    Places of worship: In some circumstances, you can alter a place of worship to accommodate religious practices without a permit, but you must notify the Executive Director of Heritage Victoria before you start the works or activities at least 20 business days before the works or activities are to commence.

    Subdivision/consolidation: Permit exemptions exist for some subdivisions and consolidations. If the subdivision or consolidation is in accordance with a planning permit granted under Part 4 of the Planning and Environment Act 1987 and the application for the planning permit was referred to the Executive Director of Heritage Victoria as a determining referral authority, a permit is not required.

    Specific exemptions may also apply to your registered place or object. If applicable, these are listed below. Specific exemptions are tailored to the conservation and management needs of an individual registered place or object and set out works and activities that are exempt from the requirements of a permit. Specific exemptions prevail if they conflict with general exemptions.

    Find out more about heritage permit exemptions here.

    Specific Exemptions:

    It should be noted that Permit Exemptions can be granted at the time of registration (under s.49(3) of the Heritage Act 2017). Permit Exemptions can also be applied for and granted after registration (under s.92 of the Heritage Act 2017).

    General Condition 1

    All exempted alterations are to be planned and carried out in a manner which prevents damage to the fabric of the registered place or object.

    General Condition 2

    Should it become apparent during further inspection or the carrying out of works that original or previously hidden or inaccessible details of the place or object are revealed which relate to the significance of the place or object, then the exemption covering such works shall cease and Heritage Victoria shall be notified as soon as possible.

    General Condition 3

    All works should ideally be informed by the Collection Policy prepared for the object. The Executive Director is not bound by any Collection Policy, and permits still must be obtained for works suggested in any Collection Policy.

    General Condition 4

    Nothing in this determination prevents the Heritage Council from amending or rescinding all or any of the permit exemptions.

    Conservation

    Written notification is required for any proposed conservation activities. The applicant will be notified by the Executive Director whether the conservation activity requires permit approval pursuant to the Heritage Act 2017, or whether it is permit exempt.

    Permit Exemption Policy

    WATERSIDE WORKERS FEDERATION BANNER - Permit Exemption Policy

    Preamble

    The purpose of the Permit Policy is to assist when considering or making decisions regarding works to a registered place or object. It is recommended that any proposed works be discussed with an officer of Heritage Victoria prior to making a permit application. Discussing proposed works will assist in answering questions the owner may have and aid any decisions regarding works to the object or to the place in which it is located.

    The extent of registration of the Waterside Workers' Federation Banner in the Victorian Heritage Register affects the whole object. Under the Heritage Act 2017 a person must not remove or demolish, damage or despoil, develop or alter or excavate, relocate or disturb the position of any part of a registered place or object without approval. It is acknowledged, however, that conservation may be required to keep places and objects in good repair and adapt them for use into the future.

    If a person wishes to undertake works or activities in relation to a registered place or registered object, they must apply to the Executive Director, Heritage Victoria for a permit. The purpose of a permit is to enable appropriate change to a place and to effectively manage adverse impacts on the cultural heritage significance of a place as a consequence of change. If an owner is uncertain whether a heritage permit is required, it is recommended that Heritage Victoria be contacted.

    Permits are required for anything which alters the place or object, unless a permit exemption is granted. Permit exemptions usually cover routine maintenance and upkeep issues faced by owners as well as minor works or works to the elements of the place or object that are not significant. They may include appropriate works that are specified in a conservation management plan. Permit exemptions can be granted at the time of registration (under s.49(3) of the Heritage Act 2017) or after registration (under s.92 of the Heritage Act 2017).

    Other approvals

    Please be aware that approval from other authorities (such as local government) may be required to undertake works.

    Collection Management

    It is recommended that the Waterside Workers' Federation Banneris included in any Collection Policy (CP) developed to manage the collection held by the MUA in a manner which preserves its cultural heritage significance. If a CP does not exist, it is recommended that a policy be developed for management of the banner. The CP documentation and all aspects of the management of the banner should be in accordance with the National Standards for Australian Museums and Galleries.

    It is also recommended that a formal arrangement is made to ensure the survival of the Waterside Workers' Federation Bannerin the event that it can no longer be exhibited in the MUA Rooms. This arrangement should provide for the preservation of the banner and ensure that it remains publicly accessible.

    Security

    Fire detection and suppression systems suitable for museum use should be installed if this has not already occurred. A Disaster Plan should be prepared and implemented in accordance with Museums Australia's standards. A security system suitable for museum use should be installed.

    Movement or Relocation

    Temporary external movement, permanent relocation, or loan of objects requires permit approval by the Executive Director pursuant to the Heritage Act 2017.

    The temporary relocation or movement of a registered heritage object resulting from works to the building in which the object is housed requires permit approval by the Executive Director pursuant to the Heritage Act 2017. Works to the building in which the Waterside Workers' Federation Banner is held have the potential to damage the Banner. These works include but are not limited to the works listed below. The Banner must be removed if the works are likely to impact the area in which the Banner is located before the works commence and not be returned until after the works have been completed. If works occur in another area of the building, the Banner should be protected from potentially damage causing elements, including dust.

    . Renovation of the building.

    . Demolition, removal or installation of walls, ceilings, wall linings, doors, windows, bathroom, kitchen or office fitouts, lights, built-in furniture, and the like.

    . Installation, removal or replacement of electrical wiring, computer and audio visual systems.

    . Repairs and maintenance.

    . Painting of walls and ceilings.

    . Vermin control.

    . Security and fire detection and suppression.

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