Gordon Bennett (union organiser)

Gordon Bennett (known locally as Tai Ko Seng [Big Brother Who Delivers]) (1944–1991[1]) was an English-born labor advocate on Christmas Island. Bennet arrived on the island in 1979 to take a post as leader of the Union of Christmas Island Workers, where he worked for the wage and safety rights of marginalized Chinese and Malay laborers on the island.[2]

Bennet died in 1991, and was buried in the island's Chinese cemetery, where his grave became a site of reverence, with offerings of liquor and cigarettes left for him by the island's Chinese and Malay residents.[3]

Filmography

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References

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  1. ^ "Obituaries | the West Announcements".
  2. ^ Arron Wood (2010). Billabong Boy. New Holland Publishers (AU). pp. 69–. ISBN 978-1-921655-59-3.
  3. ^ Mark Dapin (1 November 2008). Strange Country. Pan Macmillan Australia. pp. 86–. ISBN 978-1-74262-368-9.