Laverton stalwart awarded AWU Life Membership

The AWU Victorian Branch is proud to award Garry Bone with Life Membership, after almost thirty years of service to the union. Garry began working at the Laverton Steel Mill in 1996, elected as both a delegate and HSR. In 2022, Garry was elected Site Safety Coordinator, a position won by workers and their union and enshrined in their EBA, to ensure there was always a strong advocate for WHS on-site.

As Site Safety Coordinator, Garry recruited a whole new team of HSRs, and was an outspoken advocate for safer work practices, particularly mental health and silica dust exposure. In 2023, Garry was awarded as the AWU Victoria HSR of the year for his dedication to workplace health and safety.

“He had the guts to stand up to management and refused to back down,” says Victorian Metro Lead Dave Swan. But in his role, Garry was a constant target.

Dave says that Garry stood firm, and the workforce was behind him. “Every investigation found that Garry was just doing his job,” Dave says.

However, the pressure mounted, and Garry eventually took leave, and then made a WorkCover claim. As the AWU lodged a dispute in the Fair Work Commission against InfraBuild, management offered a substantial redundancy package to Garry on three separate occasions.

Three times, Garry refused the golden handshake, knowing the Site Safety Coordinator role was not his to give up with a redundancy.

Eventually, Garry resigned to finalise his WorkCover claim, and remained a financial member of the union. “Garry put the union first, every time,” Dave says. “He has remained incredibly dedicated to the AWU, and even put his own employment and financial well-being at risk to do what was right.”

“Garry has upheld our union’s values at the highest level, putting his workmates and the union above himself. I can’t think of a member more deserving of life membership.” Congratulations, Garry, and thank you for your deep loyalty to our union.

Garry with Victorian Branch Secretary Ronnie Hayden  and previous Victorian Secretary Cesar Melhem