Bob Henricks
Bob Henricks discusses his years in the Australian Labor Party (ALP), his involvement in the Electrical Trades Union (ETU) and in the issues confronting the ALP in the years preceding the National Executive's intervention in the Queensland Branch in 1980. He was involved in activism across areas as diverse as environmental issues and anti war and anti-apartheid campaigning.
Bob Henricks
Biography
Bob Henricks commenced work as an electrical apprentice in 1961, shortly afterwards joining the Young Labor Association. In 1967 he became a member of the mainstream Australian Labor Party. He was involved in left-leaning activism across areas as diverse as environmental issues and anti war and anti-apartheid campaigning. He continues to work in union related industry.
Robert John (Bob) Henricks was born in Brisbane on 14 June 1945. He attended Milton, Ashgrove and Inala State Schools and Indooroopilly State High School. On 24 January 1961 Henricks commenced work as an apprentice electrician and he worked all his life around that industry and its related activities. He joined the Electrical Trades Union (ETU) around 1963 and remains a fully paid-up member.
In 1972 Bob became an organiser with the ETU and he has held many positions in the union including Assistant State Secretary, State Secretary (1987-2002) and served on the national bodies of the union, including as National ETU President and as ACTU conference delegate.
In the early 1960s, Bob joined Young Labor, subsequently joining the mainstream ALP Inala Branch in 1967. He has continuously been a financial member since that date. During the 'Intervention' years, Bob was a member of Old Guard Queensland Labor. Along with other members of that group, his un-interrupted party membership was assured and continues.
Bob has held many positions within the ALP, at branch level, as a delegate from his branch and from his union to various party committees. He served as a member of the Queensland Branch Committee of Enquiry in 1978, on the State Campaign Committee in 1972 and Chaired the Disputes Tribunal for some years. Bob has served on various ALP policy committees and was the last Secretary/Treasurer of the Trades Hall ALP Affiliated Unions Committee (1978-80). Currently, Bob acts as Chairperson of a number of companies associated with superannuation and training in the electricity industry.
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