OBITUARY
Bill Latter (30.05.1925-28.06.2002)

Raelene Frances

Bill Latter will long be remembered for his outstanding contributions to the West Australian labour movement, both as an activist and as an historian. Born William Stanley Latter in Southend, England, he left school at the age of 14 and ran away to sea, just as the war in Europe began. After serving with the merchant navy throughout the war, he migrated to South Australia in 1948 where he worked in the Whyalla shipyards. His career of labour activism began in the shipyards, where he became a shop steward and joined the Communist Party of Australia. The following year he moved to WA, married Julie Marks, and began work in the coal mines at Collie. He became president of the Collie Miners’ Union in 1952, a position he held for the next decade. These were tough times in the mines, with the move to open-cut mining forcing the closure of deep mines and the retrenchment of hundreds of workers. Bill and his wife Julie (also a member of the CPA) were critical to the struggle to achieve a fair deal for mine workers and their families. Bill’s extraordinary intellect, his organising abilities, his eloquence and his integrity inspired respect and loyalty throughout the coalfields, even from people not disposed to like communists. His leadership also encouraged miners to see the value in women’s organisations, leading to the formation of the Women’s Auxiliary of the Coal Miners’ Union with Julie as the first president.	1
When a back injury forced him to leave the coal mines, he moved to Perth and used his wealth of experience and self-education to become an industrial advocate. In this capacity, he represented a range of unions, including psychiatric nurses, bar workers, fire fighters, TAB workers, timber workers and caterers. In 1967, he left the Communist Party and five years later joined the Australian Labor Party. In 1970, he became secretary of the Fire Brigade and Fire Officers Union and, in 1972, was selected as vice-president of the Trades and Labour Council (TLC, now UnionsWA). He remained vice-president until 1975 when he became president, a position he held until 1986. As well as his involvement with the TLC, he worked on behalf of State School Teachers Union and was head of the TLC’s education department. During this time, he was also the chair of the new TLC Building Society which aimed to provide workers with more affordable home loans.	2
After retiring from the presidency of the TLC, Bill Latter turned his attention to local politics and various educational endeavours. He was elected to the City of Fremantle Council in 1984 and served as deputy mayor between 1984 and 1987. He remained on the Council until 1990, making a particular impact in his support for Aboriginal and feminist causes.	3
At the same time, Bill accepted the position of Governor’s nominee on the University of Western Australia Senate (1984-97) and an honorary research associate position at UWA in the Department of Organisational and Labour Studies (1991-97). He was also on the Board of UWA Press, a member of the Swan River Management Authority and chairman of the Fremantle Hospital Board. His respect for the value of education led him to encourage university-educated people into the union movement. WA Attorney-General and Fremantle MLA, Jim McGinty, attributes his involvement in the labour movement, and that of Geoff Gallop and Bob McMullin, to Latter’s influence.	4
Bill Latter is also well known to members of the Australian Society for the Study of Labour History. He was a foundation member of the Western Australian branch and remained active in the branch until his terminal emphysema prevented him from continuing. An enthusiastic historical researcher, his best-known works include Blacklegs: the Scottish Colliery Strike of 1911, a study of an 18-week strike in Collie. The Night of the Stones: the Anti-German Riots in Fremantle 1915. He also conducted extensive research into organisations directed at so-called disloyal elements in WA society during, and immediately after, the Great War, but this material was never published.	5
Bill’s life was commemorated at a well-attended secular memorial in Fremantle Town Hall on 19 July. As a more enduring tribute, the West Australian Branch of the Society for the Study of Labour History is preparing a special issue of Papers in West Australian Labour History devoted to his life and work, to be published later this year. He is survived by his second wife, June, and his four children, Vicki, Susan, Richard and Patricia.	6

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