Irene was born in 1931 in Portland. The deprivation and poverty Irene experienced during her early years did not prevent her from developing into a kind, caring and wonderful human. She never forgot those early years and all her life strived to make the world a better place, free from hunger, want and war.
Irene reached Intermediate level at Wollongong High School. The family had a close relationship with the Communist Party, and at 16 Irene was given special dispensation to join the party and went to work in its office.
Some time later Irene obtained a position in the office of the Waterside Workers Federation, and the politics she had gained from her mother and the party were enhanced in that work environment.
Both Irene and Neville, who was to become her life-long partner, were members of the Eureka Youth League.
Their first home was a single room in the home of Eric and Betty Aarons, and later they had a room at Sally Bowen's. With two sons born, Teddy and Martin, they were allocated a housing commission home at Warrawong. They were to swap this for a larger home at Bellambi that is still the family home. The family had now been added to by two daughters, Naomi and Mary.
In 1965, Irene returned to paid work and worked for the Building Workers Industrial Union. She later worked for the "Missos" [the former Miscellaneous Workers Union] and remained with them until she retired.
Mon Chalmers worked in the same building, now Fred Moore House. Between them they solved more problems for the union members than the officials ever did.
As well as being a full-time worker and mother, Irene was active in the peace movement, especially around the Vietnam War; the International Women's Day committee (and she helped frame the Working Women's Charter and establish the women's centre); the Aboriginal Advancement League; the ANC support group; the Union of Australian Women; the Campaign Against Rising Prices; the anti-nuclear campaign; and the Federated Clerks Union.
Irene would have attended many, many demonstrations. Irene never missed May Day and took part in the march until she was no longer able to go the distance. But she would always be in the mall cheering us on. Her last political outing was on May Day this year.
Irene and Nev also played a leading role in the Australian Labour History Society, where Irene served as vice-president. They worked to ensure that the history of the working class was recorded.
I will remember her great sense of humour, her generosity of spirit, her dedication to the class she belonged to.
We were part of the movement that brought changes to the lives of women that provided a measure of equality not available when we entered the work force. If we failed in our mission to change the political system, at least we can say we tried.
After the demise of the old Communist Party Irene, did not belong to any political organisation. But the ideals and politics she espoused at a very early age remained with her, as did her commitment to the class she belonged to.
Doreen Borrow
[Abridged.]
From Green Left Weekly, June 21 2006.
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