AMWU National Secretary, Dave Oliver, paid tribute to Jock Ferguson, as hundreds gathered to remember his life and contribution in Perth last Friday.

Speaking on behalf of the union at Jock's funeral, Dave Oliver said:

"So many people have spoken about the warmth of Jock's personality and his classic ability to spin a yarn.
 
His capacity to make a joke in any situation was what endeared him to a lot of people, but it was underpinned by a serious, dedicated and thoughtful man who spent over a quarter of a century fighting for workers as their elected representative. I could tell a few stories about Jock that sum up what great personality he was, but as the AMWU National Secretary, I'd like to pay tribute to his work as a committed, skillful and passionate trade unionist.
 
Of course, Jock's humour was a key part of who he was and everything he did. Humour was often his way of finding a solution to a dispute or inspiring people to take action for a cause he believed in.

He was more furiously funny than he ever was furious, but he didn't hold back when he was fired up.
 
His passion for peoples' rights, for justice, and against prejudice and discrimination was personal and it was powerful.
 
Jock served the working people and the members of the AMWU in WA for over 25 years.
 
After 5 years with the British Merchant Navy, Jock decided to try his hand in the New Zealand construction industry in the late 70's. Fate or fortune saw that Jock's next move was as far away from NZ as possible to Carnarvon in WA! He joined the AMWU as a fitter at the Dampier Salt Mines in 1979 and was a delegate by 1981.
 
He represented those workers on the state council for 5 years as well as on the important industry committees for the Pilbara and Kimberley during that period.
 
He was appointed and then elected as an organiser during the late 80s and become assistant state secretary in 1990.
 
After 10 years of service he became state secretary in 2000. His contribution as state secretary, and his organisation and campaigning ability with the WA government saw him win significant outcomes for manufacturing workers. I know he was proud of his role in getting the Australian Marine Complex built. He was a key member of the national leadership of the AMWU during this time, especially during the Your Rights at Work campaign.
 
It was a loss for our union when Jock left the AMWU to enter the WA parliament two years ago, but it was a gain for the broader community. He still worked tirelessly for working people and took to his new life with all the passion he had shown in his 25 years with the AMWU.
 
Anyone who heard or has read his maiden speech to parliament knows what a unique and wonderful human being he was. Far from the cliché of a union hack entering Parliament, the wealth of his life’s experience meant Jock truly was the peoples’ representative in that place. He was full of energy for the job and made a valuable contribution in parliament. Sadly his life was cut short too soon.
 
His wonderful family will miss him, as will many thousands of members and officials of the AMWU family.

I want to finish using the words of the great man himself. These words were in Jock’s maiden speech to parliament and were a quote from the AMWU award of merit Jock received upon his 25 years service in the union. Jock said the words summed up what being a unionist meant to him.
 
"May we all see the day when the unity of workers and the community becomes so strong that we see the end of unemployment and poverty in the midst of plenty, and replaced by a just and equitable system that ensures a full and happy life to all who render useful service in our society.”
 
The life Jock Ferguson led was in every way dedicated to those sentiments, and this earth is a better place because of his work and his example.

Jock was our comrade, he was our brother and our mate.

May he rest in peace."