Peter Symon
Peter Symon , died 2009, was the long time General Secretary of the Communist Party of Australia.[1]
Memorial meeting for Ernest Mandel
More than 90 people filled the Resistance Centre in Sydney on August 20 1995 to honour the memory of Ernest Mandel, world-renowned Marxist scholar and revolutionary who died in Belgium on July 20. The memorial meeting, hosted by the Democratic Socialist Party, brought together most left organisations in Sydney. Speakers were: Ken Davis, from Solidarity, sympathising organisation of the Fourth International; Frank Stilwell, associate professor, Economics Department, Sydney University, former member of the New Left Party; Peter Symon, general secretary, Socialist Party of Australia; Paul True, Militant; Alison Stewart, International Socialist Organisation, editor Socialist Worker; Bob Gould, Sydney bookseller and long-time revolutionary socialist; John Minns, Socialist Alternative; Lisa Macdonald, writer for Green Left Weekly and DSP National Executive member.
A common theme was that Mandel's life was an exemplary uniting of theory and practice — his numerous contributions to the Marxist understanding of economics and other political questions, and his activity as a revolutionary socialist from his youth and as a leader of the Fourth International for the past 50 years.
Many of the speakers expressed the view that the meeting served another useful purpose by bringing the left together and opening up a necessary dialogue among socialists. Most people stayed for a meal and drinks afterwards, and there was strong sentiment in favour of future broad forums and discussions where issues and ideas could be debated in a comradely atmosphere.[2]
Western Australian MUSAA Conference
The socialist countries have imposed a check on capitalism but since the break-up of the Soviet Union the capitalist system had "grown new legs". There were now no borders for international capitalism, said Mick Doleman, from the Sydney Branch of the Maritime Unions Socialist Activities Association (MUSAA).
Mick was giving the opening address to the Western Australian State Conference of the MUSAA.
The conference was held in Perth over the weekend of February 27-28 1999. It brought together a wide range of speakers who, among other things, were united by the fact that all (except Gerry Adams) had participated on the picket lines during the MUA dispute.
For two days a long agenda of visiting speakers addressed members.
The conference was also addressed by Tony Cooke Secretary WA Trades and Labour Council (T&LC); Keith Peckham President of the WA T&LC; Christina Gillgren, a State Executive member of the WA ALP; Ramona Mitussis, a trade union activist; Dr Rob Lambert, the convenor of the WA T&LC International Committee; Vinicio Molina from the Cuba Friendship Society; John Gandini Convenor Trade Union Support Group for East Timor; Terry Buck, Secretary MUA WA Branch; Dr Carmen Lawrence, MHR; Paddy Crumlin, National Secretary of MUSAA; Vic Williams, Secretary, Perth Branch of the Communist Party of Australia (CPA); and Peter Symon, CPA General Secretary.
It was opened by the WA President of MUSAA, Dean Sommers, who recalled the many activities of MUSAA members in WA.
Two international visitors also spoke to the Conference: Gerry Adams, President of Sinn Fein, who was in Perth on the last stage of his visit and Mike Williams representing the Seamen's Union of New Zealand.
The conference adopted resolutions of solidarity with East Timor, Sinn Fein, Cuba and East Timor.
National Left Fight Back Conference
National Left Fight Back Conference Easter 1987 Melbourne.
Conference chair George Georges.
Speakers and Forum leaders: Nic Abbey, Irene Bolger, Polly Brennan, Pat Brewer, Bruce Cornwall, Joan Coxsedge, George Crawford, Maureen Davies, Nigel De Souza, Steve Gibson, Bronwynn Halfpenny, Bill Hartley, Marianne Heynemann, Ted Hill, Shane Houston, Andrew Irving, Sue Jackson, David Kerin, Malcolm McDonald, Neal McLean, Frances Magill, Ken Mansell, Steve Marrantonis, Beryl Miller, Robyn Murphy, Dick Nicholls, Peter O'Dea, Jim Percy, George Petersen, Anna Pha, Theo Sidiropoulus, Chris Spindler, Adrian Stevens, Peter Symon, Harry Van Moorst, Ian Ward, Ted Wheelwright.
SPA
When the Socialist Party of Australia, a Committee of 25 was elected and they selected an Executive of 7 comprising Pat Clancy, Peter Symon, Bill Brown, Barbara Curthoys, Jack McPhillips, Jim Henderson and Les Kelton. Clancy was made Chairman and Symon became the Secretary. Clancy and Symon had extensive trade union experience; Clancy was the Secretary of the NSW Branch of the BWIU and on the ACTU Executive; Symon was the Vice President of the Port Adelaide Branch of the Waterside Workers' Federation (WWF). The Conference urged its members to organise locally. The SPA claimed to be ‘a party for working class unity – for peace, international solidarity and socialism – against monopoly and imperialism’.[3]