Norman Mc Kenzie

(1908-1980)

Norman Alexander McKenzie lived at 44 Clayton Street, East Fremantle from 1941 - 1949. During these years he was involved with the Lumpers Union or (now part of the Waterside Workers Federation) and was a strong leader through a time of upheaval and dispute. Norman went on to serve as a Councilor for East Fremantle Council between 1942 - 1962 and from 1965 - 1975.

Norman McKenzie was born in 1908 and attended Fremantle Senior High School. After his schooling finished c. 1924 he went straight to work on the Fremantle Docks as a lumper. He learnt first hand the hard work expected of a lumper and the power of being unionised.

1929 Lumpers Smoko- Sixteen further cases, arising from an incident, which occurred on the ship Fordsdale on the night October 16, were heard before Fremantle Police Court yesterday. The following men were charged with, taking time off from their work contrary to their award… Norman Alexander McKenzie...Mr. E.A. Moss prosecuted on behalf of the Association of Employers of Waterside Labour...Norman Alexander McKenzie...pleaded guilty and was fined £1. (reference).

In 1935 McKenzie became a committee member of the Lumpers Union and in 1936 became a representative on the board of the Union. From 1937 - 1938 Norman became a Management Committee member.  

Norman married Nellie Sophia Birchmore on the 22nd June 1940.  Together they had two children; Barry born in 1941 and Gloria in 1945.  

Elections for committee members of the Lumper Union were not held during 1939 - 1942 due to the beginning of WWll.  Many of the Lumpers were designated a Reserved Occupation during the war and not able to enrol to serve in the Defence Forces. In 1943 and until 1945 Norman served as President of the Lumpers Union.

Retiring from the role of President in 1946, Norman served as Secretary of the Union until he retired in 1949, due to ill health. During the time Norman worked with the Lumpers Union, he aimed to improve the working conditions of Lumpers in Western Australia and supported other unions nationally, supporting them financially, when they were on strike for better conditions.

1946 Sulphur Dispute - Lumpers Accept Rate. Fremantle Lumpers decided to accept 1/6  an hour extra for unloading sulphur from the Hopecrown. Decision was reached at a largely attended stop work meeting at the Town Hall. Lumpers Union Secretary N. McKenzie will endeavor to arrange through the Federation for a flat rate for unloading sulphur at all Australian ports. (reference)

The union also regularly refused to load food or goods being sent for export profits when there was a shortage of the supply in Western Australia.

1947 W.A. LUMPERS BAN EXPORT OF POTATOES AND ONIONS. Fremantle lumpers have decided to place a temporary ban on the export overseas of potatoes and onions. Lumpers will refuse to load onions and potatoes on overseas ships. Potatoes and onions for service ships and for the use of ship crews will be exempted from the embargo.  Lumpers Secretary Norman McKenzie said today that the ban had been imposed because of the acute shortage of potatoes and onions in W.A...(reference)

1947 Lumpers Won’t Load Tallow For India. Lumpers have refused to load 20 tons of mutton tallow for India on to the Mulbera at Fremantle. This is the first local result on the recent decision of the Waterside Workers Federation not to handle for export soap fats, including tallow.  Lumpers Secretary N. McKenzie said yesterday that his Union was carrying out instructions from the Federation.  Tallow, consigned to Bombay was the product of WA Meat Exports Ltd at Robb’s Jetty.  It is likely that a protest against the lumpers ban will be made on the ground that it is inedible white mutton tallow not used in soap manufacture.  It is being sent to Indian cotton mills for cloth finishing. (reference)

1948 The Fremantle Lumpers Union banned today banned Dutch ships and all caro bound for the NEI.  The action followed a message from the Waterside Workers Federation of Australia by Fremantle Lumpers Union secretary Norm McKenzie...The national executive meeting of the Waterside Workers Federation of Australia brands as wanton aggression and treachery the renewed Dutch assault on the Republic of Indonesia. We point out that the Dutch Imperialists have violated their obligations under the United Nations Charter. (reference).

1948 Lumpers May Ban Crayfish Export Fremantle. Lumpers Union Secretary Norman McKenzie said today that his executive may consider placing a ban on export of crayfish.  This was because fisherman would not supply crayfish for local consumption because of the reduction in the fixed maximum price.  Mr. Norman McKenzie said the executive would discuss the fishermen’s attitude and a close watch would be kept on the supplies of crayfish in the local market.(reference)

1949 Lumpers seek Short Shifts. By a majority of 108, Fremantle lumpers have voted in favor of the introduction of shorter shifts. Union secretary N. McKenzie said that the next step would be for the branch to apply to the local waterside employment committee for a governing hours of shifts.(reference)

1949 Waterfront Work Shorter Shifts. The Fremantle Lumpers Union have voted in favour of the introduction of the shorter working shifts on the wharves at Fremantle.  The result of a plebiscite on the question was announced yesterday as follows: In favour of shorter shifts, 659; against, 551 majority 108. The Secretary of the union Mr. N. McKenzie said that the management committee of the union would now give consideration to an application to the Waterside employment committee for the variation of the port order in relation to the hours of work as the result of the plebiscite. (reference.)

In 1956 Norm became the first lumper to be appointed to the Fremantle Harbour Trust.

Norman McKenzie went on to serve as a councilor for East Fremantle Council between 1942 - 1962 and from 1965 - 1975.

In 1978 the East Fremantle Council honoured his role in the community by naming a Reserve at 75 Riverside Drive, East Fremantle the Norman McKenzie Reserve.

Researched by Kim Enright for www.streetsofeastfremantle