Directed by Sandra Pires and the Why Documentaries Team in 2015
Screening Friday 27 and Saturday 28 September 2019, 5:30 for 6pm
Manning Clark House, 11 Tasmania Circle, Forrest
Members $10, full-time students $15, non-members $20
Following Japan’s invasion of China in 1937, the Wharfies’ Union began a nationwide campaign of militant action in response to Japanese aggression.
The slogan ’No Scrap for the Jap’ began to appear on wharves around the country. In November 1938 the SS Dalfram docked in Port Kembla to load pig iron for Japan which was being turned into bombs for use on China.
Some 180 Port Kembla wharfies and their families went without pay and refused to load the pig iron in favour of conscience rather than becoming unwilling providers of munitions metal to Japan.
Robert Menzies, then Attorney General, tried his best to shut down the strike using the Transport Workers’ Act.
This film, made in 2015, portrays the drama between Wharfies’ Union & its leader Ted Roach and Bob Menzies (hence the term Pig Iron Bob).
Although a local story, this is also of international significance as personal stories from the Nanjing massacre touch your heart as well as the commitment to justice and peace by Port Kembla’s workers of conscience.
Introduction to film by well-known speakers TBA.
Discussion and refreshments to follow the film.
Members $10, full-time students $15, non-members $20
