Dictionary of Sydney
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  4. Waterside Workers Federation Film Unit

The Dictionary of Sydney was archived in 2021.

The Dictionary of Sydney was archived in 2021.

Waterside Workers Federation Film Unit

Educational institution

Film unit formed by the Waterside Workers Federation to document the lives of workers and their families and issues of workers' rights that could be used as political and educational tools.

Milestone
Formed
1953
Closed
1958
Position
Film producer
The Hungry Miles
Film producer
Not Only The Need 1957
Film producer
Pensions for Veterans
1953
Member
Disher, Norma
1953 - 1958
Member
Gow, Keith
1953 - 1958
Member
Levy, Jock
1953 - 1958
Type
Educational institution

The Wharfies' Film Unit

CC BY-SA 2.0
by
Lisa Milner
,
2014
supported by
City of Sydney - Cultural Ribbon Foreshore Histories Project

In the 1950s, workers rights extended beyond wages and conditions to include cultural events and creative activities. The Waterside Workers' Federation Film Unit set about documenting the lives of workers and their families, their communities and organisations. From 1953–58, they made 19 films tackling subjects that the government film unit and newsreel producers would never touch: housing shortages, price control, the cost of living for ordinary Australians and reasons behind industrial disputes.

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