Stan Heilbron

Interviewed by
Rodney Sullivan and Robin Sullivan
Jun 21 2013
Stan Heilbron, 2013

Stan Heilbron is a member of the Communist Party of Australia (CPA). He is notable for his work in the Townsville community as a member of the Federated Clerks Union (FCU), Secretary of the Gulliver Progress Association and as a member of the Parents and Citizens Association. He was involved in many social issues including public transport and housing.

Biography
Time Summary Keywords
00:00:00

Stan Heilbron reads a prepared statement covering his childhood and family background.

 Communism, Federated Clerks Union, Gulliver Progress Association, Mt Isa
00:07:40

Stan Heilbron recalls the union positions he has held over the years particularly within the Federated Clerks Union. He discusses his decision to move to Townsville.

 AWU, Federated Clerks Union, Mt Isa, Queensland Rail, Townsville
00:09:47

Stan Heilbron speaks about his father's union involvement.
00:10:05

Stan Heilbron discusses the reasons for his lack of participation in industrial struggles.

 Federated Clerks Union, industrial disputes
00:10:33

Stan Heilbron explains how he came to join the Communist Party in the mid-1940s.

 Communist Party, Eureka Youth League, Townsville
00:11:44

Stan Heilbron describes the work he did with the Communist Party. He also discusses his father's work in the late 1930s and early 1940s.

 Communist Party
00:12:57

Stan Heilbron explains why he chose to join the Communist Party rather than the Labor Party.

 Communist Party, Mount Isa Mines, personal vilification
00:14:57

Stan Heilbron discusses how long he has been a member of the Community Party of Australia (CPA) and how the CPA operates in 2013.

 Communist Party, SEARCH Foundation
00:16:33

Stan Heilbron speaks about the strength of the CPA in Townsville.

 Bill Irvine, Communist Party, Townsville, Trades and Labor Council
00:17:38

Stan Heilbron describes his involvement in anti-Vietnam war marches and his arrest.

 civil disobedience, Communist Party, protest, Townsville, Vietnam War
00:19:28

Stan Heilbron recalls his mentors in Townsville.

 Bill Irvine, Communist Party, Frank Bishop, Hugh Fay, Townsville
00:20:16

Stan Heilbron describes his main work with the CPA. He mentions the awards he received for his work with the Parents and Citizens Association.

 Communist Party, education, Gulliver Progress Association, housing, QCPCA, social justice
00:22:57

Stan Heilbron recalls the lack of interest in social issues within unions in Townsville.

 social justice, Townsville, unions
00:24:08

Stan Heilbron describes the CPA involvement with Indigenous issues. He discusses Frank Bishop's trip to Darwin for a campaign and Eddie Mabo's involvement with the CPA.

 AWU, Communist Party, Eddie Mabo, Frank Bishop, Indigenous issues
00:26:13

Stan Heilbron discusses his contact with academics at James Cook University. He comments on the relationship between the Parents and Citizens Association and students.

 academia, James Cook University, QCPCA, Stuart MacDonald, universities
00:28:27

Stan Heilbron describes his association with environmental issues. He explains his interest in public transport in Townsvillle.

 environment issues, public transport, QCPCA, Townsville
00:29:39

Stan Heilbron comments on the decline in union membership.

 AWU, declining union membership, Jack Mundey, social justice, unions
00:31:54

Stan Heilbron recalls hostility towards himself because of his CPA membership.

 Communist Party, Gulliver Progress Association, personal vilification
00:32:56

Stan Heilbron discusses his relationship with CPA member and union representative Fred Thompson. He comments on Thompson's decision to join the Labor Party.

 Fred Thompson, Townsville, women
00:34:23

Stan Heilbron discusses why the CPA collapsed and its global linkages.

 Communist Party
00:36:10

Stan Heilbron comments on the competition between industrial and other union groups. He expands on the discrimination he received as a member of the CPA.

 Communist Party, Federated Clerks Union, Gulliver Progress Association, housing, personal vilification
00:40:22

Stan Heilbron speaks about former Townsville mayor P.J.R. Tucker.

 Percy Tucker, Townsville
00:41:57

Stan Heilbron recalls his most memorable achievement from his work in the Townsville community.

 Communist Party, QCPCA, Townsville
00:44:06

Interview ends
Position:
Trade Unionist
Bailiwick:
Federated Clerks Union
Decade:
1970s
Sound byte: 

Stan Heilbron

Biography

Stan Heilbron, 2013

Stan Heilbron is a member of the Communist Party of Australia (CPA). He is notable for his work in the Townsville community as a member of the Federated Clerks Union (FCU), Secretary of the Gulliver Progress Association and as a member of the Parents and Citizens Association.

Stan Heilbron was born in Mount Isa, Queensland. He joined the Communist Party of Australia as a young man in the 1940s, inspired by his father who had been an active member. Heilbron later moved to Townsville, Queensland, where he was involved with many social issues through the CPA including public transport and housing as well as becoming involved in the anti-Vietnam War movement in the 1970s. He held the position of Secretary for many years in the Gulliver Progress Association, an organisation concerned with improving the social and housing conditions in the Townsville suburb of Gulliver. He was also a member of the Parents and Citizens Association, winning several awards for his work.

Heilbron became a union member in his early working life. He joined the Federated Clerks Union while working for the Mount Isa railways and remained a member after moving to Townsville. He was elected into a position within the FCU which he held for one six month term before being removed because of his social views which were not compatible with the conservative union management. He remained a member of the FCU throughout his working life but did not participate in any industrial action.

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