John Ducker

John Patrick Ducker AO (29 March 1932 – 25 November 2005), Australian labour leader and politician, played a leading role in the Australian labour movement and the Labor Party for 20 years.

Background

Ducker was born in Kingston upon Hull, in northern England, the son of a bus driver, and worked on the docks from the age of 14. He migrated to Australia with his family in 1950, and became an ironworker and active in the Federated Ironworkers Association, at that time controlled by the Communist Party of Australia. He was originally the minutes secretary in 1952, becoming an organiser from the Sydney branch from 1952-1959. He joined the Labor party in 1952. His North English accent led to him becoming known as "bruvver Ducker".

In 1961, Ducker moved from the Ironworkers to become an organiser for the Labor Council of New South Wales, becoming first an organiser and in 1967 becoming assistant secretary. He was also president of the New South Wales Labor Party and vice-president of the Australian Council of Trade Unions. In these positions he supported successive New South Wales Labor leaders such as Pat Hills, Neville Wran and Barrie Unsworth (also a Catholic convert). In 1973, he organised Wran's pre-selection for a safe Liberal Assembly Seat, allowing him to defeat Hills months later and become Leader of the party.

Federal Labor involvement Ducker was also a powerful supporter of Federal Labor Leader Gough Whitlam. During this time Ducker secretly helped the United States resolve industrial disputes. For example, when Frank Sinatra insulted women journalists, causing a nationwide boycott of the singer, Ducker worked with the Ambassador and ACTU President Bob Hawke to bring about a quick resolution.

After politics He had a long association with Mater Maria Catholic College.

In 1979, Ducker's health declined and he resigned all his official positions, but Wran appointed him chairman of the New South Wales Public Service Board. and the Catholic Church awarded him a Papal knighthood. He was also appointed to several company boards, including Qantas and the poker machine giant Aristocrat Leisure Industries.

Ducker was appointed as the NSW chair of the Duke of Edinburgh's Award – Australia and a national board director (1998-2000).

Personal life Outside of his career, Duke enjoyed gardening, reading and music.

Ducker married Valerie Elizabeth Smith in 1963, and they had two sons and one daughter. Valerie Ducker died in 2022.