By KATRINA BRANDON
A TRAVELLER, a fighter and “just a country boy”, the late John Parker was a man of many means.
Last month, a book was released documenting his life.
Around 70 people attended the launch, held at Buln Buln Recreation Reserve. All had their own stories and experiences to share about Mr Parker.
Mr Parker was a union and community leader who went out of his way for anyone, no matter how far away, to ensure that person was given a fair go. He fearlessly advocated for justice for “ordinary people” and sought to drive change.
He was head of the Gippsland Trades and Labour Council (GTLC) and was also a long-term CFMEU organiser. Beyond his work as a union representative, Mr Parker was skilled in the arts, leaving behind many wooden carvings and paintings.
The book, One Real Good Bloke by Jim Connolly, talks about Mr Parker’s journey from a carpenter, small business owner, to a union official and community leader.
Reflecting on her late husband, who died in 2015 at age 66, Ms Alison Parker highlighted his strength.
“John was a very proud CFMEU organiser, supporting so many people in many and different areas and situations, often travelling several hours for one person, it made all the difference in their world at that time,” she said.
“He was calm and thoughtful; his patience gave me hope that the many challenges faced by the people of Gippsland could be overcome.”
Alison and John met at the Springville Town Hall dance in 1968, after John asked her to dance.
For 48 years, they shared many special memories until his passing. The Parkers lived in Buln Buln for more than 30 years.
In the 2000’s, Mr Parker received a severe burn from his phone after the aerial touched his ear. He then suffered from motor neurone disease and two brain tumours. Two months before his passing, Telstra sent a message alerting users to the harmful electromagnetic energy emitted by mobile phones. Mr Parker’s good friend Johnny Cummins died of the same brain tumours.
Also in attendance at the launch was Asbestos Council of Victoria/GARDS chief executive and secretary, Vicki Hamilton, and Member for Eastern Victoria Region, Harriet Shing.
“I met John 25 years ago, and we struck up a conversation and a friendship group from that,” Ms Hamilton said.
“He touched so many lives and helped bring about change where it was needed. He righted wrongs and befriended those who had no one to look out for them.”
Ms Shing spoke about Mr Parker’s “unwavering support” and his countless experiences with many politicians, guiding the narrative with one simple line: “Can I just bend your ear for a moment?”
Dr Valerie Prokopiv from Federation University also shared her experiences with Mr Parker.
“Very quickly, he came to be the person I worked with. You don’t work for John; you work with him. He had so much respect for everybody,” she said.
During her time working with Mr Parker, Dr Prokopiv saw him travel extraordinary distances, even one day going from Warragul to Melbourne, to Albury/Wodonga, back to Morwell, and then back to Warragul.
RMIT Professor Peter Fairbrother said the book celebrated Mr Parker’s lifelong promotion of social justice and equality for all, as well as community unionism.
Mr Parker had experience on a farm, where he used his background to help unions in farming communities, especially in Gippsland.
Proceeds from the book are going towards treatment for a 20-year-old who has been affected by mesothelioma (caused by asbestos), suffering since she was 15.
For a copy of the book, email Alison Parker at am.parker@outlook.com
